4 ms·

I don't consider myself a libertarian by any stretch, but isn't their argument in favor of a completely free market? If so, any government regulations that prot

• jimrandomh 15y ago
  Wired broadband companies can't exist without government support, because they need right of way to run wires across many peoples' property. The problem is that governments tend to give permission to do that to only one or two companies.
  • dereg 15y ago
    Which is what libertarians hate. The argument against government is that government unscrupulously uses eminent domain to seize land at below-market prices, which is then handed over to the ISP. Government's intervention a la eminent domain takings favors the most-favored-ISP. So what they're doing now in NC is have government step in to solve government problems, which doesn't solve the cause of the problem.
    • IgorPartola 15y ago
      What land in NC has been siezed by the givernment and handed to an ISP? Look, just like phone, water and electricity, broadband is a natural monopoly, at least until peer-to-peer access becomes a reality. Not many people complain about the city running water servives because often it is just more effecient. Broadband is no different. The only" scary" thing is that thecity might screw it up. And while that is a possibility, at least you as a citizen can directly participate in how the tech is rolled out and indirectly participate by voting. OTOH, good luck convincing your cable provider that last mile fiber is a good idea.
• bluedanieru 15y ago
  In principle, usually, but you tend to see one side supported a little bit more zealously than the other.