THE FUTURE OF U.S. RURAL TELECOM POLICY AND THE 2010 ELECTIONS (“We Got Trouble!”)

(Excerpt from October 14, 2010 "Back Page" by Tom Smith)


“I want all of them – Democrats and Republicans – to be voted out of office. All of them should go.”

This is one American’s hopes for the outcome of the November 2 congressional elections. The comment reflects a level of frustration experienced nationwide with Congress and politicians, in general, these days, if the public opinion polls are to be believed. These frustrations are helping to spur the growth of a national grassroots Tea Party movement among conservative-minded voters that has left some politicians quaking in their boots. But, these frustrations also are spurring a new level of activism among many others who are disappointed that a mostly liberal President Barack Obama and a Democratic Congress have not championed all of their causes or met the litmus test of the liberal-minded progressive policy agenda.

Why should small, rural and independent telecommunications companies care about the November 2 elections? Does it really matter whether Democrats or Republicans control the Congress in 2011-2012? Does it matter if the Congress is in control of conservatives or liberals? Are there any moderates left anymore anyway to worry about? (Click here to view the entire "Back Page")