an interesting interchange re ILEC charges

[David Farber <dave () farber net>]

Begin forwarded message:

From: Bruce Kushnick <bruce () NEWNETWORKS COM>
Date: December 22, 2005 9:10:04 PM EST
To: CYBERTELECOM-L () LISTSERV AOL COM
Subject: Re: Your article on Sam Simon
Reply-To: Telecom Regulation & the Internet <CYBERTELECOM- 
L () LISTSERV AOL COM>

Sam, (see sam's letter below.)

I really love getting your letters.  But if you're such a consumer  
advocate, why don't you help Teletruth raise a few million dollars  
and then we can absolve you of any sins or indiscretions.

For example, we filed a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission  
(FTC), claiming that the Bell companies made false and misleading  
statements in multiple states to change state laws ---- they promised  
to rewire America with fiber optics for cable competition in 1992 ---  
It's well documented by their own statements. --- that's SBC,  
BellSouth, Verizon, Qwest. The fiber optic upgrades never happened.   
Is this why America is 16th in broadband?

By 2006, 86 million households should have been rewired with 45 Mbps,  
bi-directional services, 500 channels. Customers paid  extra for  
these networks, about $200 billion -- $2000 a household is the low  
number.

We're simply not getting any traction. Why don't you help us get  
press?. And why don't you help us get a congressional investigation  
as well?  Don't you care that the phone companies harmed low income  
families who really need this money? -- It's like, $2000 per  
household! Larger than any tax cut. This would make a lot of  
difference to a low income household this holiday season, I tell you.

Teletruth is broke. I admit it. So if we had money we could hire a  
lobbying firm, a pr firm, pay New Networks to do the documentation  
--- come on. This will show us in solidarity.

Or maybe you want to do another campaign -- Fix phone bills.  
Teletruth is proposing the "Truth-in-Billing Act of 2006" to tell the  
truth about stuff like the FCC Line Charge on a Verizon bill.  It's   
misnamed and is direct revenue to the phone company, even though it's  
in the 'taxes and surcharges" section. Shouldn't customers know that?  
And it's never been audited. Damn, why don't you help us get that  
Audit. It could mean billions of dollars back for the disabled, the  
tired, the poor, those huddled masses.

Oh, I know in the past you got them to raise this charge from $3.50  
to $6.50.. But, the FCC is now saying they want to raise the FCC  
(goes to the bell company) Line Charge to $10.00 a month! Don't you  
want to stop that in its tracks?

And why is it that you want to raise the Universal Service Fund and  
put it on VOIP services? Join our call for an investigation of the  
fund... Do rich phone companies really need it more than Aunt Ethel?  
How do you take the poor 10+% for universal service that the are  
funding? Humbug to that.

A few million well placed with Teletruth -- we can do adds in Roll  
Call, a media blitz in California, luncheon for key congressional  
telecom staffers,  throw in meetings with a Senator or Congressmen--  
you're for helping customers, right?

I hear you're gone for a few week. and congrats on the new grandson.

One more thing... And since this is the holiday season, I would hope  
that everyone on cybertelecom will wish Sam Simon best wishes... But  
ask Sam to help poor teletruth.  A few million would go a long way in  
the public interest fights against the dark forces.

Next time, just post your responses to  cybertelecom --we're all  
friends here....

Bruce Kushnick, Tell-The-Truth-Sam.
====
PS:  you wrote: ---not news to anyone, comes up when yyou Google  
"fiction" and "Sam Simon"

Google.  Results 1 - 10 of about 120,000 for Sam Simon Fiction. (0.27  
seconds)  Opps.

=============
  Thanks Bruce,

  I'm just disappointed you didn't mention my new Grandson!!   Don't  
get too excited, but there are now two generations waiting right  
behind me!!!

  Oy Vey!!

  I am off line tilll after the New Year.  And thanks for sharing  
the article with the list.  I was too modest to do so  myself, and  
figured it would be best coming from you.  As to your response, not  
news to anyone, comes up when you Google "fiction" and "Sam Simon"

  Sam


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