Bob Dole: “I read with interest yesterday in the Washington Post, and others papers, about the rollback of cable rates. I just want…”

“I read with interest yesterday in the Washington Post, and others papers, about the rollback of cable rates. I just want to set the record straight. I call this ``What the FCC Report Forgot to Tell America When It Cut Cable Rates.'' Mr. President, the Federal Communications Commission's appetite for Government intervention has opened a big pot-hole in the information highway, and could short-change cable TV consumers. Earlier this week, the FCC announced that cable TV companies with fewer than 15,000 customers are subject to have their rates rolled back by 7 percent. This sounds good if you stop right there. It sounds very good. But no one has told the American people what they will sacrifice in the process. For starters, we should expect two things. First, it will stifle private business efforts to build the so-called information highway. And second, rapid introduction of new channels and services will not occur. In short, Americans should expect an inferior product because the cable TV legislation has stagnated competition and innovation.”