sure comcast might suck but to say you have to deal with this at "any company" is not a valid response.
If amazon ever did something like this to me, I would never shop there any longer. Problem solved. Now who I turn to if govt refuses to listen to me. Interacting with Govt is a horrible experience almost every single time. You just have to "deal with it" if you don't get help.
Your internet experience will depend on how much your neighbors think internet is the priority given limited funds.
Most people in the US are stuck with only one choice of broadband Internet providers, and those who are lucky might have two options[1].
The difference between Comcast and Amazon/Costco is that when Amazon provides sub par customer service you have the option to shop elsewhere. The reason Comcast can be so well known for providing terrible support is because there is no alternative, your only other option is to choose a dial-up provider and sacrifice a consistent Internet connection.
I am disagreeing with "Govt monochoice is better than private monochoice" . Govt can be equally brutal and inefficient and often is. Whats a govt employee's motivating to fix your internet in a timely manner?
Also I have a tangential question, whats stopping comcast from charging $500/month for internet?
Are you seriously saying thats typical of any company and that you have to personally know some exec in that company to get things done?