Senator Snowe Feels that Capitalism is Not Enough

When you look at the cell phone industry, there seems to be enough competition out there to let market forces provide consumers with good options. In a capitalistic society, this should allow the consumers to vote with their dollars on what is the best service. Even in rural Maine, there seems to be a lot of companies that want to provide cell phone service. Apparently Rep. Senator Olympia Snowe feels that these market forces may not be enough for consumer protection in Maine.

In a 7 July, 2009 article in the Bangor Daily News, Snowe threatens cell phone companies with FCC action if they do not do a better job in providing universal access and protecting consumers. I understand the role of the government in regulating public utilities as they have a virtual monopoly on providing electric or land line service to an area but why should the government be active in an area that the consumer has so many choices. Competition should drive the companies to providing more serviceable options to consumers. If there is a vacuum in one particular area of service, new companies should pop up to fill that vacuum. I know it is kind of unpopular now but that is how capitalism works.

Why do our elected officials feel that they have the right to insert their noses into every issue? It may be because most of the voters are basically acting like little children looking for an adult figure to protect them from themselves, but I digress.

With huge federal deficits, an energy policy that is in shambles, two wars continuing, rogue nations developing nuclear weapons, social security becoming unstable, and numerous other major issues, Snow should perhaps be lending her voice to issues that may be more critical to our nation. Just because a government official receives complaints on an issue does not necessarily make it a government issue.