Get a Grip

1. 76

   lovemychrisposted 12 years ago

   I got my water bill for the year the other day....$118.78. For the entire year.
   
   That is less than one month of basic cable and internet. One month.
   
   Could it be because the head of Comcast makes so much money? That's what business is all about: making money.
   
   And people actually want business to take over the running of this country! If they provided my water, I would be forced to do without. We will be crushed if business gets its grip on the gvt.
   
   Because with business, inevitably comes the banksters. And inevitablly comes profit over people. And inevitably comes a third world.
   
   Business + Gvt....wonderful!
   Business - Gvt....rip off city!

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   1. 81

      WillStarrposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      Cable is a privileged utility, regulated by the state. It has no competition
      
      Competition drives down prices, and the more companies that compete, the lower the prices. That's why we can now buy a 35" HD TV for less than $300.

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      1. 76

         lovemychrisposted 12 years agoin reply to this

         Water is a commodity, regulated by my town....why don't they jack up the price for a huge profit, like cable does?
         
         What's stopping them?

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      2. 80

         gregasposted 12 years agoin reply to this

         Will, what is Dish and Direct, for 2 examples, if not competition for cable? Greg
         
         LMC, it sounds like you are complaining because the water company doesn't charge you more. Greg

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         1. 76

            lovemychrisposted 12 years agoin reply to this

            No, I'm pointing out how much I get for so little $$ with gvt, versus how much it costs for so little with business.

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            1. 60

               couturepopcafeposted 12 years agoin reply to this

               My cable bill just went up again. I get basic cable which went from $9. to now $15. Doesn't sound like much but I use it for Internet, too. They give me 8 channels which show the same programs over and over, sometimes on two different channels. But I have to have something. It's still a ripoff. Everytime they raise the price, they say they added technology but I'm not using any of it with basic cable and non HD tv.

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            2. 75

               910chrisposted 12 years agoin reply to this

               My water bill is $23.00 a month, but five miles from my house the Town of Oak Island has a minimum of $80.00 a month!! It is just crazy how on town differs from another.

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            3. 60

               Hollie Thomasposted 12 years agoin reply to this

               In England, some of us have water meters. United utilities charge me on average about twenty pounds per month, that's when I'm careful. Once privatised, water bills become scandalous!

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            4. 59

               Repairguy47posted 12 years agoin reply to this

               Maybe you should grocery shop at the Big Gov Grocery, my water bill is $90 a month and it too is from my local municipality, could it be your being subsidized by those of us who pay a higher rate?

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               1. 76

                  lovemychrisposted 12 years agoin reply to this

                  You mean like rich people are subsidized by the poor and middle class in our tax policy?

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         2. 66

            Ralph Deedsposted 12 years agoin reply to this

            We tried to get satellite TV but were told that a huge tree in front of our house would interfere with our reception.

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            1. 90

               Pcunixposted 12 years agoin reply to this

               So build a bigger house.. 

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               1. 80

                  gregasposted 12 years agoin reply to this

                  Or cut down the tree.

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   2. 60

      uncorrectedvisionposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      I put a bucket out side yesterday and caught a bunch of cable television.  Who needs cable when it is naturally falling from the sky.

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      1. 76

         lovemychrisposted 12 years agoin reply to this

         Uh huh...guess you don't have children.
         
         Internet is a must. For school, that is.
         Basic cable sux...that should be free!
         
         I get a years worth of water for less than a months Comcast. My my, that gubmint sure do take too much of my money. MY MONEY. M Y  M O N E Y.

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         1. 60

            couturepopcafeposted 12 years agoin reply to this

            Agreed. TV used to be free. The networks advertisers paid for it. Someone told me they bought a $100 antenna at Best Buy that sits on a shelf and works very well and they get more channels than basic cable. They get internet elsewhere.

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      2. 60

         HattieMattieMaeposted 12 years agoin reply to this

         Really uncorrectedvision...hope that bucke cable was good broadcasting! lmao!

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      3. 60

         Xenonlitposted 12 years agoin reply to this

         I like your point about cable "falling from the sky".
         
         While I despise the way we are treated, cable companies do have to put money into the infrastructure, negotiate with broadcasters and film studios, and cover all the costs of a huge, somewhat labor intensive business.
         
         AT$T is doing nothing to improve, while Comcast has tried to get better. Technology is expensive, not just for the equipment, but for the rest of it.
         
         I thing what we should petition for a la carte programming and for clean billing to be put into law!

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   3. 64

      maxoxam41posted 12 years agoin reply to this

      Wasn't it in Bolivia that the people felt stripped out of their "material inheritance and natural resources" when French private companies thought that they could come and take over the distribution? They rioted and ousted them! It is a lesson for us!

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      1. 76

         lovemychrisposted 12 years agoin reply to this

         Yes, just like the documentary The Argentina collapse.... the crying shame of what business and the banks did to them....it's criminal.

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   4. 61

      Evan G Rogersposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      LMC - Government provides and subsidizes the water supply, thus it is cheaper.
      
      Regarding your Comcast - if you're upset about it, then you can easily cancel your services. You could even sign with a competitor.
      
      Heck, you could even start your own company.
      
      The fact that you don't do any of these things merely shows you agree that the service is worth the price to you.

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      1. 90

         Pcunixposted 12 years agoin reply to this

         Often there is no real competition.
         
         Google may change that..  I wouldn't be at all surprised to see Internet access become a public utility eventually.  We all need it and we all benefit from it.  It is close to a necessity already.

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         1. 61

            Evan G Rogersposted 12 years agoin reply to this

            IF there is no real competition, then start your own competition.
            
            The government hasn't made THAT illegal, yet. Although, it does put up heavy "start-up fines".
            
            Not a single person needs the internet. T'is a fact that will forever be lost on the mind of a liberal. When the internet becomes a public utility, then it will end up being of poor preservation, poor delivery, and it will be heavily regulated.
            
            It's completely ironic to claim that you are against SOPA & PIPA, yet you want it to be a public utility.

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            1. 76

               lovemychrisposted 12 years agoin reply to this

               Wrong. Kids need it for school...homework is posted on it, grades are there now, and they have to type eveything...nothing is hand-written anymore. If you have kids in school, it is a neccessity. Unless you can go to the library every day, and try to do your home-work while dealing with 30 minute sessions.
               
               And I do believe it was Gates who put the kibosh on competition...was it not? Intel?

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            2. 60

               couturepopcafeposted 12 years agoin reply to this

               Seriously, Evan, you know I love you but this is a bit over the top even for you.
               
               That's like saying no one really needs a phone. Yes, in theory, we don't need either for survival, but really? In this day and age, no internet? Why don't we go back to changing the ribbons on our typewriters with gloves on and cranking the car's engine from the front of the car with a wind up handle? Better yet, how about using horses for transportation, pony express for mail delivery, and the general store to make a phone call. That's if the recipient town has a general store with a phone.
               
               I can agree that I don't like all this dependence on technology and have fought it for a long time. Now I have to play catch-up. And as you can see, part of my life is consumed with this utterly soul sucking forum crap.
               
               Nothing personal to anyone. Where's that poetry forum.

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            3. 90

               Pcunixposted 12 years agoin reply to this

               It's a fact that some Conservatives never see the need for anything until long after all the intelligent people have realized how important it really is.
               
               Municipal water?  Dig a well.
               
               Public roads?  Let some company build them and charge tolls.
               
               Police force?  Buy a gun.
               
               And so on..
               
               Whether you understand it or not, Internet access is becoming a necessity.  It already is for most businesses and for many individuals.

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               1. 66

                  Ralph Deedsposted 12 years agoin reply to this

                  Public school problems? Charterize!!

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                  1. 90

                     Pcunixposted 12 years agoin reply to this

                     Ayup.   We could go on and on.  That type of conservative is always on the wrong side of every argument about progress that has ever been made.
                     
                     Look, I'm not one to say all conservative thought is wrong.  Slow and cautious is sometimes exactly the right course.  But the knee jerk refusal to consider any new idea that is so prevalent really gets wearing after a while..

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            4. 90

               Pcunixposted 12 years agoin reply to this

               Nonsense.   
               
               I understand what the major difference between us is.  You see government as faceless others controlling your life and I see it as all of us reaching consensus.
               
               No doubt this is true for you - your opinions are way out of the mainstream, so of course you feel that others are "controlling" your life.   I have some "out there" positions myself, but for the most part, I'm in sync with what most recognize as common sense.   I therefore see government as helpful whereas you see it as your enemy.
               
               If we ever do turn the Internet into a public utility, it will be because people want to do it.  They may do it at a local level first - our town created a public gas and electric company years ago for exactly that reason.    That utility benefits all of us and we pay lower rates than towns that have to deal with the for-profit companies. 
               
               That's why we will eventually have public Internet.  We'll gather together and realize that we'd all be better off to invest the money to do that.   It has nothing to do with SOPA or anything else.

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   5. 60

      logic,commonsenseposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      Business already owns the government.  Who do you think pays all the lobbyists and in turn buys off all the legislators as well as the President?  Do you think the nearly billion dollars that Obama raised last election and the over billion dollars he will raise this time came from the little people such as yourself?  The large part of it came from....omg....businesses and the people that run or own them.

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      1. 76

         lovemychrisposted 12 years agoin reply to this

         Not true....his biggest donors were Wall Street, and they have now run to Romney.
         He had much support from small donors....and he does now as well.
         
         And as far as business owning gvt...they sure got a boost with Citizens United.
         
         Now who is for and against that?
         
         As long as money rules, the whole thing is tainted. And a community organizer who actually tried to help people is looking pretty good right now, in the face of a candidate who reps the monied class.

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         1. 60

            logic,commonsenseposted 12 years agoin reply to this

            Denial is not a river in Egypt!

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            1. 76

               lovemychrisposted 12 years agoin reply to this

               What businesses supported Obama in 08?

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               1. 62

                  American Viewposted 12 years agoin reply to this

                  Because you asked, here is a list of his top donors. Check out who is number two, six, seven. Hmmm are those bailout recipients?
                  
                  University of California    $1,648,685
                  Goldman Sachs    $1,013,091
                  Harvard University    $878,164
                  Microsoft Corp    $852,167
                  Google Inc    $814,540
                  JPMorgan Chase & Co    $808,799
                  Citigroup Inc    $736,771
                  Time Warner    $624,618
                  Sidley Austin LLP    $600,298
                  Stanford University    $595,716
                  National Amusements Inc    $563,798
                  WilmerHale LLP    $550,668
                  Columbia University    $547,852
                  Skadden, Arps et al    $543,539
                  UBS AG    $532,674
                  IBM Corp    $532,372
                  General Electric    $529,855
                  US Government    $513,308
                  Morgan Stanley    $512,232
                  Latham & Watkins    $503,295

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                  1. 76

                     lovemychrisposted 12 years agoin reply to this

                     Hmmm, interesting...don't see any big oil in there...
                     
                     And in case you didn't read my prior post, I mentioned that wall street has abandonded Obama for Romney.
                     
                     So, I guess if you don't like bail-out recipients, you will have to take it up with him now.
                     
                     08 is ovah.

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            2. 76

               lovemychrisposted 12 years agoin reply to this

               Well, I'll be hornswaggled! I just hit up my twitter, and looky here: Obama campaign funded by small donors!
               
               http://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/ … print.html

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               1. 62

                  American Viewposted 12 years agoin reply to this

                  I really think you should have read the entire article before you posted it.

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   6. 59

      Repairguy47posted 12 years agoin reply to this

      After I thought about it for a while it seems that this is one more example of government incompetence. Your low bill is preventing some hardworking city employee from getting a raise. You should pay your fair share..

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      1. 76

         lovemychrisposted 12 years agoin reply to this

         Don't worry..the cops and firefighters here make $80-$100,000 a year. They're doing just fine.

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2. 77

   stclairjackposted 12 years ago

   your water bill was less than 120$ for the whole YEAR???,.... sorry,... i'm stunned,... and jelous! ha!

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   1. 76

      lovemychrisposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      Yes, I know some communities where the bills are extremely high...guess I would have to amend my thread then...I just reacted because it WAS so low!
      
      And...they give HUGE lee-way in paying it too...not like tv/internet, who shut you off pronto. AND charge you a month in advance!
      
      Guess there could be a case made for both...I just get so sick of hearing about the horrible horrible gvt..I over-react.

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      1. 60

         couturepopcafeposted 12 years agoin reply to this

         Unlike the NES (Nashville Electric). They shut off the service down here if the bill isn't paid within the month. Same with Comcast. You pay the month in advance or they shut you down.

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      2. 61

         Evan G Rogersposted 12 years agoin reply to this

         Liberals like to say "government makes things cheap", and in this example, LMC cites his water bill.
         
         Then he turns around - an about face - and begins to demand that "government does something to prevent the slow depletion of our lakes and rivers".
         
         O! The irony!!

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         1. 60

            couturepopcafeposted 12 years agoin reply to this

            If only we all had a good understanding of how it all works, like you do, the country might be better run. No sarcasm intended.

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            1. 76

               lovemychrisposted 12 years agoin reply to this

               Well, he needs a better understanding of what I said...never mentioned lakes and rivers...

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3. 78

   Mighty Momposted 12 years ago

   LMC,
   Mass must be making up the difference somewhere else. As in, the big water users pay much more so that you can pay what seems to be a reasonable amount for your water bill.
   In comparison, your annual water bill is the same as my monthly city utilities bill for garbage and recycling collection, green waste (mower clippings, branches, etc.) collection and sewer.
   We have zero control over what the city charges for these utilities. I have seen the amount go up at least 15% as the city, county and state become strapped for cash.
   
   Cable or satellite TV is privately owned. They can charge what the traffic will suck up and pay. DirectTV, Dish Network, Comcast and ATT. Looks to me like we're heading into another monopoly situation with MaBell taking over the pot (Uverse trumps them all) until such time as it is deemed the industry must once again be regulated. Er, deregulated.
   
   IT'S ALL A GAME.

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   1. 76

      lovemychrisposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      Yes, well cities and states are strapped for cash because the feds give them less....so the Ubers can have more back in tax cuts.
      
      It's a vicious circle, and one where I see one solution where no one gets hurt:
      
      Tax the Ubers more, put more federal dollars into cities and states!
      
      Unless someone can give me one good reason why Adelson, with a worth of 21.5 BILLION should be able to avoid 39% tax....can you imagine what that $ would do for a city?

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4. 73

   WriteAngledposted 12 years ago

   Here in Wales, I pay £30 per month for water and £25 per month for satellite TV and internet. I don't watch the TV at all, I pay because it is the only way I can get the add-on for reasonably reliable, uncapped broadband.

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   1. 78

      Mighty Momposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      They charge whatever they like.
      For example, I get my broadband internet through ATT.
      One day they capriciously started charging me $40/month. I called and asked why the rate had been increased and pointed out that I saw lots of promotions (ads) offering the same service to new customers for $19 a month. Why, as a loyal, many year (decade plus) customer could I not qualify for the lower rate?
      You know why.
      I'm not a "new" customer!
      
      Then,out of the blue, one day they approached me and said they are going to change my internet rate to $19 a month. Part of me says, "All right! Sweet!" and part of me says, "What's the catch here? What rights am I signing away to accept this offer?"

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      1. 60

         HattieMattieMaeposted 12 years agoin reply to this

         Yay in my town we only have the option of Charter communications, and no one else seems to serve the area, go figure. I pay 59 a month just for internet, and don't have to many options unless I use dial up which is old fashion. Really sucks when they monopolize the area.

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   2. 60

      couturepopcafeposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      WriteA - That's a lot for water. That would be $45. month in the U.S. But your internet is cheaper at $37.USD.

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5. 81

   WillStarrposted 12 years ago

   "Will, what is Dish and Direct, for 2 examples, if not competition for cable? Greg"
   
   Cable prices are competitive with both. The other factor is demand, and the demand supports the high price. We can always drop all of them and get free TV off the air. There is also free dial-up access to the internet if you don't mind advertisements.

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   1. 90

      Pcunixposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      If you think satellite is competition for cable, you've obviously never had it

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      1. 81

         WillStarrposted 12 years agoin reply to this

         "If you think satellite is competition for cable, you've obviously never had it"
         
         Until recently, we had both, and satellite is better by far.

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         1. 90

            Pcunixposted 12 years agoin reply to this

            You must never get heavy rain..
            
            We had satellite for a while at our vacation home.  The only time we actually wanted to watch tv was when the weather was really bad and when the weather was really bad.. no satellite tv
            
            It seemed to us to be an extraordinarily stupid thing to be paying for.  Just our opinion, of course.

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            1. 60

               HattieMattieMaeposted 12 years agoin reply to this

               Satellite sucks more than cable. Same price and of course the dunes and trees in michigan get in the way. Of course we could just chop all the tress down, but again when it rains or snows, you shit out of luck regardless what dish company you use. Tried two different ones.

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            2. 60

               couturepopcafeposted 12 years agoin reply to this

               Pc - where do you live? In Middle Tennessee, everytime a cloud moves the lights go out, the dishes move, the cable goes out. It's like living in Kansas just waiting for Dorothy and the house to go up.

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6. 61

   Moderndayslaveposted 12 years ago

   I read a bunch of replies and switch provider was the one I liked best. Here's the thing, they are all the same price after the "Teaser" period.I have seen the price rise about $75 in the last 8 months for the same service.They did send me a nice letter that I would be getting screwed though. Don't you call that collusion? Take a look at a Comcast or any other bill. Charge for the converter,(Shouldn't that come with service since you can't access it without it?)HD technology fee.If they didn't have HD they couldn't keep any customers with the popularity of flat screens.Digital access?,the whole country went to digital broadcast 2 years ago. Outlet fee,my house was pre-wired.There are many more taxes and fees. Comcast sucks and they are gouging the crap out of their customers,period.

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   1. 62

      American Viewposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      The outlet fee cracked me up the most. I paid for that outlet when my house was built, not one penny for it came from the cable company.

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7. 76

   lovemychrisposted 12 years ago

   "LMC - Government provides and subsidizes the water supply, thus it is cheaper."
   
   Ahhhhhh, now if only we could get that in healthcare and higher education!!!
   
   But here's another one I just noticed, don't know how long it has been going on....
   
   Verizon charges a late fee now, like credit cards.
   EVEN THOUGH they maintain the right to cut you off if you get too far behind.
   
   Granted, a house phone is not a neccesity these days....but I'm hesitant to switch to cellular.
   
   and, I just got a tax bill for a car I supposedy owned in 2006: mistake.  But I'll pay it then go fix it...all of a sudden I appreciate the gvt so much more!

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   1. 60

      couturepopcafeposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      So many people I know have removed their land line phones and only use cellular. The down side is if the towers go out, you have no phone. The down side of landline is the same if electricity goes out.

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      1. 76

         lovemychrisposted 12 years agoin reply to this

         Yes, me too..it does seem stupid to have them both. But I know with cell phones, you get into these "arrangements" that you are penalized for if you get out of....I hate that kind of thing.

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         1. 60

            couturepopcafeposted 12 years agoin reply to this

            The contracts. There are some companies that have no contracts now. Some of the smaller ones. The problem is you sacrifice service in remote areas. The bigger companies have more coverage because they are on more towers so be aware of that. Having worked for Verizon since its inception, I know just a little about how it works. I'm not an engineer though.

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            1. 62

               American Viewposted 12 years agoin reply to this

               Why have a land line and a cell phone. Get rid of the land line, get all your friends on Skype. Skype to Skype calls are free.

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8. 76

   lovemychrisposted 12 years ago

   Then he turns around - an about face - and begins to demand that "government does something to prevent the slow depletion of our lakes and rivers".
   
   HUH? Where?

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9. 93

   habeeposted 12 years ago

   Wow. Our water bill is about $80 per month.

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10. 76

    lovemychrisposted 12 years ago

    If they privitize it, you will wish for 80 a month...that's the whole point.
    
    Once profit is the motive, it's a wash.

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11. 61

    Druid Dudeposted 12 years ago

    THE DEPTH OF YOUR ILLUSION SCARES ME MORE THAN THE DEPTH OF MY GOVERNMENTS COMPLICITY.

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    1. 76

       lovemychrisposted 12 years agoin reply to this

       Ahh, no illusion my man...the psychopath march.
       
       Man who created Willie Horton add now working for Romney.
       
       http://www.newyorker.com/reporting/2012 … fact_mayer
       
       
       
       Now you will see. This is an a-moral, empty suit brigade. At least Gingrich has feelings and emotion.
       
       You think Romney's dog liked being on the roof of a car for 12 hours?
       
       You think he cared?
       
       Watch out. The non-feeling are infinitely more dangerous.

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       1. 76

          lovemychrisposted 12 years agoin reply to this

          This is Ariana Huffington 11/28/11:
          
          "There was another big story -- the brazen dishonesty of former frontrunner Mitt Romney -- that received a lot less attention from the media. Instead of obsessing over whether an element of humanity might disqualify Gingrich with some Iowa voters, the media would be better served focusing on whether out-and-out lying should disqualify Romney with all voters."
          
          It is now going to go ballistic...and we'll see which "media" calls him out!
          
          Oh, and read up on psychopaths.

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          American Viewposted 12 years agoin reply to this

          LMC,
          
          I thought you loved Romney, he was you guy, your Gov. He gave you so much, Romney care, more regulation, higher taxes, and more. Wait that sounds familiar, yet you love the twin of Romney. Go figure

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          1. 76

             lovemychrisposted 12 years agoin reply to this

             Never liked him...he's a creep with a capital c.
             Only R I ever had warm and fuzzies for was Bill Weld. But then...he was big pals with the ceo of Bechtel.

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12. 65

    awareposted 12 years ago

    might be because the planet, and you and i are 90% water. thus the lower cost due to such availability.

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    1. 62

       American Viewposted 12 years agoin reply to this

       Aware gets it!!! supply and the cost involved supplying it. If Hollywood got involved with water like with TV productions we would pay $50 for a bottle of water in the store. I am not saying Comcast and then like are not making money, we know they are. But they are selling a product that cost so much to make. Maybe since Hollywood are so  eager to back Obama and want to pay higher taxes, how about they pay a extra 10% tax on all their income, residuals and all the freebies given to them and use those funds to subsidize cable costs across the nation. That would lower the cable bill.

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13. 76

    lovemychrisposted 12 years ago

    I was watching a panel on internet security this early morn...and a business woman explained just what was ailing America:
    
    (paraphrase) "As with anything in these endeavors, we always make the same mistake; we work not for the benefit of the greater good, but for the benefit of the share-holders"
    
    That is America's failure in a nut shell, IMO.

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14. 76

    lovemychrisposted 12 years ago

    Here's Romneys current list of donors:
    
    
    http://www.boston.com/news/politics/art … tt_romney/
    
    Hedgefunders top it. But most hateful to me is Koch with his coal and gas....fighting the wind farm tooth and nail.
    
    And the man who helped the swift-boat veterans....this is telling, since Mittens has hired the guy who made the infamous Willie Horton adds.
    
    We have a WHOLE lot o Nasty to look forward to. Or backward, as I see it. Regress.

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15. 61

    John Holdenposted 12 years ago

    Once upon a time here in the UK, water was publicly owned and virtually given away.
    
    Then we were told how much better our water would be if it was sold off to private companies, how much more efficient and cheap it would be.
    
    Now my water bill is more than my electricity bill!
    
    Still the same old pipes and even more shortages in the summer, so much for cheaper and more efficient!

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