Re: how will this affect us?

[Dib9@aol.com]

In a message dated 1/4/99 5:56:15 PM Eastern Standard Time,
dlh@donnahalper.com writes:

<< Now, do you think that Congress will actually be able to shrink the power
 of the FCC even further?  It's a bit ironic-- I am sure I'm not the only
 one who used to think the FCC had too much power; but now I fear we are
 heading too far in the other direction... What do you think-- do we still
 need the FCC?  >>

The concerns of Rep. Hastert and other members of Congress are that in a
number of areas the FCC has resisted following the requirements of the 1996
Telecom Act.  There is also some concern that some members of the commission
would like to mandate free air time for political candidates, an idea that
might have merit but is more appropriately addressed by legislators.  

The power and authority of the FCC and whether deregulation has gone too far
are legitimate issues to debate, but decisions on such matters should be made
by our elected representatives, not unaccountable bureaucrats.  The concern of
many members of Congress is that some members of the commission want to
substitute their views for the law.  The FCC's role is to enforce the laws and
policies passed by Congress.  They have the authority to pass rules to help
implement the law, but they should not be substituting their own policies for
those passed by Congress.  You may disagree with the current law, but I hope
you agree that Congress is the proper body to make such decisions, not the
FCC.

Dan Billings
Bowdoinham, Maine

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