Political Quotes

“the conference report on S. 652 is finally being considered by the Senate. We have heard much about the positive changes to this bill and the ramifications for the telecommunications industry. But I must still express my concern about the absence of a provision that I see as vital to the protection of the American consumer. I am referring to the capability of telecommunication entities to develop monopolies and dominate marketplaces to the detriment of the consumer. This Nation learned through long and hard experience that laissez-faire attitudes towards industries does not protect smaller entities when larger competition comes along and certainly does not provide safeguards where consumers are concerned. I acknowledge the roles of government oversight that the bill does now provide. But the larger corporations will not be constrained in their ability, should they desire, to monopolize media and various telecommunication mediums. And in our effort to allow such an environment do we want to place the consumer on the altar of deregulation?”