Why do we allow the cell phone companies to rob us?

[Argus]

So how many players have to exist before you consider there to be enough competition.

Enough that we don't have the most expensive cell phone service in the world - combined with the highest cell phone profits in the world.

[bush_cheney2004]

If the shoe fits...

Very well, let's make it official: I dub thee official Cell Phone Victim.

On the main reasons for the failure of American conservatism is the near total absence of anything resembling common sense or realism. They cling to absurd ideas despite mountains of evidence to show how poor a choice they've made. Thus American conservatives oppose sex education despite massive evidence that "just say no" leads to all the stuff they're opposing. Thus they cling to the idea that "socialized medicine" is bad despite massive evidence to the contrary. The American health care industry is the only one I'm aware of which has a higher administration cost (much higher) than the government alternative. But American conservatives will have nothing to do with common sense.

Pssssttt...it's not just conservatives who are fighting CommieCare. You might want to ask the providers too. Canada has the highest cost and least effective universal access-single payer system among OECD nations. The Americans sure shouldn't copy such a system, and have wisely chosen not to.

I, however, acknowledge the longstanding inability of the private sector to provide health care at competitive costs, and so favour government run plans.

Well at least you are an honest flip-flopper. The American "conservatives" have multiple choices and lower ECFs for cell phones...imagine that.

Meanwhile, back to topic. Recognizing that government monopolies and regulation have resulted in far higher prices and far lower services than elsewhere in the world, this conservative opposes the current system. You, being an American conservative, won't even acknowledge this, simplistically seeing this as "letting the private sector do as it wants" - which, btw, has resulted in the near bankruptcy of your country.

That's right, but I still have more choices than you. Now go back to whining.

[bush_cheney2004]

Enough that we don't have the most expensive cell phone service in the world - combined with the highest cell phone profits in the world.

Then you can stop whining soon....looks like Canada is not necessarily the most expensive:

If you think your cell phone bill is high, try moving to New Zealand. According to a recent survey by the Kiwis’ Commerce Commission, New Zealanders are paying for some of the most expensive cell phone plans in the world.

http://most-expensive.net/cell-phone-plans

[Argus]

Very well, let's make it official: I dub thee official Cell Phone Victim.

I've got lots of company in this country.

Pssssttt...it's not just conservatives who are fighting CommieCare. You might want to ask the providers too. Canada has the highest cost and least effective universal access-single payer system among OECD nations. The Americans sure shouldn't copy such a system, and have wisely chosen not to

.

You won't find any post of mine on this subject which is content with our present system. I have long advocated adopting the best of European systems. But one sane wants an American system. You have by far the highest costs in the world, yet your results are only middling. Almost all European countries have a fraction of your costs yet have equal or better results. If Canada spent as much per capita as you did we'd have no line-ups, yet everyone would be covered.

Well at least you are an honest flip-flopper. The American "conservatives" have multiple choices and lower ECFs for cell phones...imagine that.

Yes, but you still get screwed compared to Europe.

[bush_cheney2004]

I've got lots of company in this country.

Of course...no shortage for victimhood status.

You won't find any post of mine on this subject which is content with our present system. I have long advocated adopting the best of European systems. But one sane wants an American system. You have by far the highest costs in the world, yet your results are only middling. Almost all European countries have a fraction of your costs yet have equal or better results. If Canada spent as much per capita as you did we'd have no line-ups, yet everyone would be covered.

But you don't, so suffer in line like a patriot, except for those who seek true love across the border or abroad with cash.

Yes, but you still get screwed compared to Europe.

Hardly, I have double coverage and no waiting at all. Also have cell phones and data plans out the wazzoo....cheaper than yours. And no whining.

[Argus]

Then you can stop whining soon....looks like Canada is not necessarily the most expensive:

If you think your cell phone bill is high, try moving to New Zealand. According to a recent survey by the Kiwis’ Commerce Commission, New Zealanders are paying for some of the most expensive cell phone plans in the world.

http://most-expensive.net/cell-phone-plans

Your link doesn't work. But in any event, is irrelevant. There are only two cell phone providers in New Zealand's tightly regulated market, which is why they can charge such outrageously high fees - similar to those in Canada. Why you, a purported conservative continue to scorn those complaining about this is beyond me. As a conservative you ought to be shaking your head at the way government intervention has led to near monopoly and high charges to people for basic services.

I guess it just shows that you aren't much of a conservative.

[bush_cheney2004]

Your link doesn't work. But in any event, is irrelevant. There are only two cell phone providers in New Zealand's tightly regulated market, which is why they can charge such outrageously high fees - similar to those in Canada.

What???? You mean there just might be another country with evil and greedy cell phone providers ripping off the poor public? This will not help your status as the biggest victim. [Link works fine for me....I love Verizon! }

Why you, a purported conservative continue to scorn those complaining about this is beyond me. As a conservative you ought to be shaking your head at the way government intervention has led to near monopoly and high charges to people for basic services.

I don't give a crap about whiners who bitch about the cost of luxury items such as cell phone devices and voluntary contract services.

I guess it just shows that you aren't much of a conservative.

Sorry, I refuse to play victim.....whine on.

Edited June 27, 2009 by bush_cheney2004

[Argus]

Of course...no shortage for victimhood status

When you're getting ripped off, you're getting ripped off. You seem to feel it's improper to complain about this for some odd reason.

But you don't, so suffer in line like a patriot, except for those who seek true love across the border or abroad with cash.

I might stand in line on occasion, but at least I'm not in a Soviet system like yours, where you are directed to go to whichever doctor and hospital the commisars find appropriate. And my chosen doctor doesn't have to grovel on the phone to a clerk somewhere in a building halfway across the country and ask permission to issue a prescription or to give you an operation like yours does. Moreover, that clerk can't decide that too much money has been spent on my cancer care or heart treatment and cut me off with the stroke of a pen in mid-treatment as can happen in Soviet America.

Hardly, I have double coverage and no waiting at all. Also have cell phones and data plans out the wazzoo....cheaper than yours. And no whining.

Complaining only happens when you realize you're being ripped off, and some people clearly aren't smart enough to ever reach that level of understanding.

[bush_cheney2004]

When you're getting ripped off, you're getting ripped off. You seem to feel it's improper to complain about this for some odd reason.

It's just me....I don't like whiners....or victims of their own making.

I might stand in line on occasion, but at least I'm not in a Soviet system like yours, where you are directed to go to whichever doctor and hospital the commisars find appropriate.

You are mis-informed about such things.....Canadians come to our Mayo clinic after experiencing your system's suckage.

And my chosen doctor doesn't have to grovel on the phone to a clerk somewhere in a building halfway across the country and ask permission to issue a prescription or to give you an operation like yours does.

Nope...cause he moved to the USA via "brain drain".

Moreover, that clerk can't decide that too much money has been spent on my cancer care or heart treatment and cut me off with the stroke of a pen in mid-treatment as can happen in Soviet America.

That's in the employer contract....we are back to that it seems. What do you have against contracts....comrade?

Complaining only happens when you realize you're being ripped off, and some people clearly aren't smart enough to ever reach that level of understanding.

See above.....whiners are powerless by design. Stop playing victim and empower yourself.

[Mr. Whiteman Esq.]

I don't use a cell phone, hopefully never will. Society functioned before these things existed, so there technically is no need for them and other technological gadgets that in the end really make us more dependent and vulnerable.

[Smallc]

Enough that we don't have the most expensive cell phone service in the world - combined with the highest cell phone profits in the world.

I agree with you, we probably should have lower prices...but I don't think that competition will get us there. I hope I'm wrong though.

[Bonam]

I get my cell phone service for free No limits on calls or data, and a pretty nice handset too.

[Craig1]

MythBuster uses Twitter to fight $11,000 phone bill

http://www.edmontonjournal.com/Technology/...0546/story.html

[punked]

Enough that we don't have the most expensive cell phone service in the world - combined with the highest cell phone profits in the world.

In the modern world it does not work that way. Game theory dictates no cell phone company would have to lower cost if all are profiting more with high costs and splitting the consumer base up. They all win if they don't compete. Look at gas prices their are plenty of players but because they don't compete they can all have high profits and work with each other in the system to crush any competition which may pop up against the power players. The free market aint so free anymore.

[Craig1]

Bonan please tell how you get free service

I been a stong advocate of those that stole Bell satalite service for FTA untill it got knocked out with N3. Same should go for phone and internet it should be free! These providers been ripping us off for way to long and if stealing needs to be the anwer to be that is the honorable thing to do. How can they justify Charging me $2600 for a few hours of internet service? when a modem cost all what $50. A strong message needs to be sent we as the consumer will not stand for it!

[Bonam]

Bonan please tell how you get free service

Let's just say it's provided by those who have an interest in me being available for communication

[Oleg Bach]

Let's just say it's provided by those who have an interest in me being available for communication

You don't need every last member of the herd connected with all the herd all the time - it will create a collective in years to come that might be regretable.

[Argus]

It's just me....I don't like whiners....or victims of their own making.

You have a one track mind, don't you, and it's running on narrow gauge rails.

In fact, complaining about government actions or inaction, policies or priorities is the entire reason d'etre of this web site. It's the focus of all discussion.

You are mis-informed about such things.....Canadians come to our Mayo clinic after experiencing your system's suckage.

American hospitals are no better or worse than those in Europe or Canada. Canadians with lots of money can go there and have operations done immediately, it's true. Those without lots of money, including most Americans, either have to wait, if they're Canadians, or get nothing, if they're Americans without insurance. For those Americans with insurance, they ask their local commisar which doctor and hospital is approved by the party, then get permission to go there. Then the doctor calls the party and asks permission to issue a prescription or do an operation. Sometimes the party worker says yes, sometimes he says no. Sometimes the party worker will look at the citizen's past history and decide that he should get no treatment on some pretext or another, because they don't consider him or her to be particularly valuable and don't want to waste party resources on them.

But that's the nature of having a communist system.

That's in the employer contract....we are back to that it seems. What do you have against contracts....comrade?

Contracts which are between parties which do not have equal power are rarely fair or just. In a system where you need a cell phone - and trust me oh ignorant one, some people really need them - you take what terms you are given. They are non-negotiable, one-sided, made deliberately lengthy and confusing, and and all of the government monopoly owners issue the same ones.

Otherwise you would not have a contract which forces one party to pay the cell phone providor even though the provider cannot provide the service they have promised (not, of course, that the contract's fine print actually makes any such promise of service).

But it seems to be a tenet of your kind that admiration for a law - however unjustly designed, however unfairly applied, is near universal. This is why so many Americans would make good little Nazis - particularly the three quarters of the world's lawyers who infest your country.

[Guest levanic]

I definately agree that cell phone companies are ripping us off but I have to say one thing. Is there not some responsibility of the consumer to ask questions first. It seems that too many of us today just sign the dotted line without actually reading what they are agreeing to. Ask this kind of thing before you sign. If you are not 100% sure that you will have a use for the service that you are signing a 3 year contract for, maybe only sign for 1 year and pay a little for your phone or get a lower model phone. Do you really need the newest Blackberry?

[bush_cheney2004]

You have a one track mind, don't you, and it's running on narrow gauge rails.

In fact, complaining about government actions or inaction, policies or priorities is the entire reason d'etre of this web site. It's the focus of all discussion.

Then you have found the right place. Whine on......

American hospitals are no better or worse than those in Europe or Canada. Canadians with lots of money can go there and have operations done immediately, it's true. Those without lots of money, including most Americans, either have to wait, if they're Canadians, or get nothing, if they're Americans without insurance.

Gee...my niece has no wealth, yet she was successfully treated for Hodgkins Lymphoma just this past year at Mayo Clinic. I'm sure she waved to the nice Canadian patients too.

For those Americans with insurance, they ask their local commisar which doctor and hospital is approved by the party, then get permission to go there. Then the doctor calls the party and asks permission to issue a prescription or do an operation.

You are misinformed.....the eligibility, membership, and coverages for group plans are pre-determined when contracts are signed or renewed. Oh wait a minute...you don't like contracts...or contractual responsibility....nevermind.

Sometimes the party worker says yes, sometimes he says no. Sometimes the party worker will look at the citizen's past history and decide that he should get no treatment on some pretext or another, because they don't consider him or her to be particularly valuable and don't want to waste party resources on them.

Wrong...see above.

But that's the nature of having a communist system.

Doesn't work that way in Cuba either.

Contracts which are between parties which do not have equal power are rarely fair or just. In a system where you need a cell phone - and trust me oh ignorant one, some people really need them - you take what terms you are given. They are non-negotiable, one-sided, made deliberately lengthy and confusing, and and all of the government monopoly owners issue the same ones.

Boo hoo....if you really need one that bad then pay up and stop whining. Stupid or irresponsible people should not be signing contracts to begin with. I have already proven your claim to be bogus by finding one, two, and three year contract terms at Rogers.

Otherwise you would not have a contract which forces one party to pay the cell phone providor even though the provider cannot provide the service they have promised (not, of course, that the contract's fine print actually makes any such promise of service).

That's right.....learn to read the fine print. If you do not have the means to pay the bill, I am sure we can find another government program for you to protect you from yourself.

But it seems to be a tenet of your kind that admiration for a law - however unjustly designed, however unfairly applied, is near universal. This is why so many Americans would make good little Nazis - particularly the three quarters of the world's lawyers who infest your country.

As America bashing goes, you are clearly Bush League!

[Oleg Bach]

You have an infestation of lawyers? Hey BC - let me come down there and bring some bio-degradable bug spray....remember have your lawyers spayed and neutered - it's the kindest thing to do...bob barker said that...I think...

[bush_cheney2004]

You have an infestation of lawyers? Hey BC - let me come down there and bring some bio-degradable bug spray....remember have your lawyers spayed and neutered - it's the kindest thing to do...bob barker said that...I think...

Yea...we gots lots of lawyers...and cell phone plans too. And it has somebody's panties in a knot!

I think I'll get another cell phone today for my cat.