[jamesaepp]

Wow they exchanged one monopoly for another monopoly that can use force. Genius voter population over there.

[sounds]

State-enforced law to prevent city fiber builds was exchanged for city-led coop. Said state-enforced law bought and paid for by Comcast, deceptive ad campaign bought and paid for by Comcast, and the city still won.

Sounds like a classic underdog win to me.

[s73ver_]

You'll have to point out where they exchanged monopolies, rather than simply set up a competitor to keep the existing monopoly in check.

[hexane360]

>another monopoly

Comcast won't cease to exist. Other ISPs can form.

>that can use force

When was the last time your water/electric/gas company "used force" against public interest?

[conanbatt]

> When was the last time your water/electric/gas company "used force" against public interest?

Everyday.

Think of it this way, people that don't want to use the service can't opt out for the tax loss incurred by the state running it.

[hexane360]

I don't know about your local utilities, but mine are only government regulated, not subsidized.

[conanbatt]

Utilities have a considerable tax participation in municipal and state level governments. The infrastructure was definitely built with taxation, and there is a virtual monopoly of it.

Im not making an opinion about it being the best system or not, because i haven't looked at this topic at all, but its delusional to think there is no force in this application.

Just googling shows that for example, Florida has a mandate to be on the grid.