FCC Commissioner to Take Job at Comcast, We Try to Feign Surprise
FCC Commissioner to Take Job at Comcast, We Try to Feign Surprise
Posted 05/11/2011 at 2:46pm
| by Ryan Whitwam
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One of the four FCC commissioners that approved the Comcast-NBC deal has announced that she will be leaving the FCC at the end of her term in June. You'll never guess where she's going to work. Yep, Comcast. Meredith Attwell Baker will be Comcast's new SVP of government affairs.
Ms. Baker is one of two Republicans on the five-member commission. She was nominated for the post by President Obama in 2009. By taking the position, Ms. Baker agreed to an ethics pledge barring her from lobbying or contacting FCC or executive branch official until the end of the current administration.
As expected, critics of the Comcast-NBC deal have been quick to lash out at Baker. In a statement, Craig Aaron of Free Press called the move, "Just the latest, though perhaps most blatant, example of a so-called public servant cashing in at a company she is supposed to be regulating." Harsh, but is the criticism well-deserved?
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Jason_T
May 12, 2011 at 11:09am
This is a perfect example of how Government Corruption is alive and well in the U.S.A.
Ms. Baker has no integrity. She is a corrupt government official.
It's a shame this sort of thing is allowed. Hope you enjoy your lucrative "payoff," Ms. Baker.
bling581
May 12, 2011 at 9:51am
This gives me great confidence that they'll reject the AT&T/T-mobile merger.
Keith E. Whisman
May 12, 2011 at 1:19am
This has to be a violation of public trust issue and a lawsuit is justified in my most inexperienced oppinion. Perhaps even a violation of conflict of interest. Because of this all of her professional decisions should be investigated.
Just because she is a Republican doesn't mean she is not corruptable.
US_Ranger
May 11, 2011 at 4:50pm
Biceps, you're mistaken on this being a problem of capitalism. When the government intervenes in business, that's corporatism.
Biceps
May 11, 2011 at 3:55pm
I think that if you take a job in public service, you should not be allowed to work for any company you or your agency regulated for a REAL period of time. Like 10 years. The government/corporate revolving door is the reason that the US gov't is owned by corporations, and not the people. I hope she chokes on a chicken bone. Why does our government not represent the peoples' interests? Because Comcast pays them not to!
Nimrod
May 11, 2011 at 3:13pm
Yes the criticism is well deserved. When corporate sweetheart deals cross over into the realm of deciding laws and handing down decisions in federal regulatory committees it becomes something else entirely. This is fascism at work, and this is how our government works.
It is why there is no country of origin label on our food and why GMO beef doesnt need to be labeled as genetically modified. Its why health care is now mandatory under so called Obamacare. Massive companies that lobbied for Obamacare are now EXEMPT from the law such as McDonalds, Wallmart and over 200 others.
They get away with it because this country is so full of slave minded idiots who think its perfectly alright or business as usual. They only way to get good government is to hold its feet to the fire. With so many idiot who think that D.C. walks on water, its no wonder this kind of shit is so typical.
allc0re
May 12, 2011 at 8:47am
Show me evidence that Walmart and McDonalds are exempt from Obamacare.
Danthrax66
May 12, 2011 at 6:32am
So you do realise Obamacare is good right? It actually added more help for the consumer. And the part that mandated all Americans to get health insurance was added by republicans. Just so you can accurately guide your dislike :D Healthcare works so much better when it is state ran like Finland, Sweden, Great Britain, Norway, etc. Because it eliminates the Insurance companies and drives down costs.
Wonko33
May 11, 2011 at 4:40pm
Strong logical comments are better received when they are made by people who don't sound like they are wearing tinfoil hats.
Facism really? More like plain old curruption to me.
Nimrod
May 12, 2011 at 12:08am
I admit that I come off sounding strong and angry but you dont have an argument. Yes it basically is fascism.
You are like an automaton, programmed to ignor evil by the shows on television and the magazines you read.
I prefer to actually look at reality and call it what it is.
Wonko33
May 12, 2011 at 7:03am
Now you are making me feel bad for not being more like you and making a difference in the world we live in.
All you said about lobbying is true but we are lucky to live in a place where you can mention that publicly and not dissapear the next day.
You know, elected officials, freedom of speech is a far reach from facism and calling it that makes you sound a bit off the rocker, it's a shame because you have a point with the rest of it. That's all I was saying.
B.A.Frayd
May 11, 2011 at 11:01pm
So on one hand you refer to his comments as "strong logical", and then with the other hand call him crazy?
lindethier
May 12, 2011 at 12:16am
This ^^
There needs to be some serious reform in regards to crap like this. As someone mentioned earlier, there should be a serious amount of time (10 years) before a person is able to take a job offer, etc. from a company or group that they were regulating.
Biceps
May 11, 2011 at 3:57pm
+1. I agree with most of what you wrote. The biggest problem with capitalism is that you end up with a government run by sellouts - pun intended.
kevaskous
May 11, 2011 at 2:56pm
Very much so, I think this sort of thing should be legally processed and investigated.
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