Why Conservatives are Wrong About Deregulation

The news earlier in the week that CBS and Time Warner Cable ended their dispute had me thinking for the millionth time that there is certainly something wrong with deregulation and how companies can take customers for granted. Media access is more expensive than ever, and media regulation is also at an all time low. My opinion of Leslie Moonves, the head of CBS, could not be lower (even post Viacomm becoming a separate entity), especially with the networks all or nothing approach. And the Internet is fueling some of this: we are blasted by so many pop-up ads that we have become somewhat angered. Of course, I am well-aware that networks need to pay people too, but I also think over-compensation is an issue too. An example here: I'm not going into politics for the money. It's more for improving the lives of people, and (God willing) when I have kids, they grow up in a better world than I did.

Even the Brits know better: they have a government office devoted to keeping competition alive. Sometimes Laissez faire needs a little help. I believe competition is a good thing, and that regulation keeps an even playing field. Of course overregulation, especially when an industry is in danger of collapsing, just like the railroad industry in the United States did in the 1950s-1970s, should be avoided at all costs. And although safety is important, if implementing safety harms investment (which might lead to more safety!), then I am against toughening rules.

I also like regulation especially if it means for improvements to service. If we regulated cable television providers like we do other utilities, it might mean that we could put money into investing in the very infrastructure that makes the technology possible.

KISS*: I support regulation when it means that I have more choices, and government allows me to have a choices of whatever it may be, whether it be airline service or my wireless phone provider. Hypercapitalism, especially the American brand, makes this all impossible. I support capitalism, but I also am smart enough to realize that even it needs reins to keep it in check.

*Keep It Simple, Stupid