4 ms·

Pro: despite the "woe is us" rhetoric too often found in online communities, getting a bunch of people to complain actually made a political entity wake up and

by hirsin 12y ago

Pro: despite the "woe is us" rhetoric too often found in online communities, getting a bunch of people to complain actually made a political entity wake up and take notice. Con: They only noticed for political reasons rather than that whole "representing the people" thing. Con: Wheeler got the position after arranging several hundred thousands in donations to the campaign of the "no more lobbyists" candidate. He's unlikely to listen to the president he's already paid off. Con: It doesn't seem like Obama is willing to actually fight for what he said he wants by leaning on those three of five. His record certainly indicates that he won't. Con: Wheeler says "I am an independent agency" when there are several other people involved in the decision making. Implies total power, or at least distended ego. It was great that Obama made a statement - it brought the issue to the attention of people who otherwise dismissed it as nerd rage. I don't think it will change anything.

kristopolous 12y ago
I believe both major parties reach the same conclusion, it's just that the Democrats do some dramatic act of high-minded rhetoric, then cry uncle and are forced to give in, shaking their fist at the sky. It's all for show. The game is rigged. US politics is the dramatic art of competing narratives to get there.
meepmorp 12y ago
> It doesn't seem like Obama is willing to actually fight for what he said he wants by leaning on those three of five. His record certainly indicates that he won't. How exactly is he supposed to "lean on" those 3 commissioners? It's not clear to me that he can unilaterally fire any of them, which means removing them would likely involve congress, which is basically asking the impossible these days. > Wheeler says "I am an independent agency" when there are several other people involved in the decision making. Implies total power, or at least distended ego. FCC doesn't act at the direction of the president, and that the commissioners make decisions independently, hence the term "independent agency." And this is by design, to prevent political pressure from the executive affecting rule making by a regulatory body. Edit: There may be one thing he can do - make another commissioner the chairperson. Never been done, but probably legal.

by hirsin 12y ago

kristopolous 12y ago

I believe both major parties reach the same conclusion, it's just that the Democrats do some dramatic act of high-minded rhetoric, then cry uncle and are forced to give in, shaking their fist at the sky. It's all for show. The game is rigged. US politics is the dramatic art of competing narratives to get there.

meepmorp 12y ago

> It doesn't seem like Obama is willing to actually fight for what he said he wants by leaning on those three of five. His record certainly indicates that he won't. How exactly is he supposed to "lean on" those 3 commissioners? It's not clear to me that he can unilaterally fire any of them, which means removing them would likely involve congress, which is basically asking the impossible these days. > Wheeler says "I am an independent agency" when there are several other people involved in the decision making. Implies total power, or at least distended ego. FCC doesn't act at the direction of the president, and that the commissioners make decisions independently, hence the term "independent agency." And this is by design, to prevent political pressure from the executive affecting rule making by a regulatory body. Edit: There may be one thing he can do - make another commissioner the chairperson. Never been done, but probably legal.