Is Comcast the Spawn of Satan?

I’m in the process of getting cable TV installed. I know, I know ~ I may be the only woman in the suburbs who doesn't have cable TV but it seems like such a colossal waste of money, I just can’t do it. Since I'm renting out rooms (hey, there's recession on), I provide WiFi but not TV. So, last week, the conversation was had about getting cable TV and splitting the costs.

I called Comcast, my Internet cable provider. It was a good thing I was sitting down and had taken my heart medicine. Every time I have to deal with big companies, I'm reminded that I sound like a communist, but the truth is ~ I hate Comcast. Oh, the customer service rep was very nice but as she was chipperly going over all the costs to install the cable and the monthly costs and how great cable is, I felt crankier and crankier especially since, as we all know, there is nothing on TV except reruns of NCIS and House and Real Housewives of Washington, DC. Sure, Mark Harmon and Hugh Laurie are complete dishes but . . .

So, I asked what specials they had. All the “specials” are for new customers only. Ah, I see. Exactly, how did Comcast get to be the 500 pound gorilla of media when it forgets the first law of business ~ “it’s cheaper to keep an existing customer then to get a new one?” So, I explained again. "All I want is basic cable ~ no HBO, no NFL season package, no Bravo, no STARZ; just plain vanilla. Any specials?" Just for new customers. Merde. Grudgingly, I made an installation appointment for next week.

When I was talking with a friend who also has Comcast and complaining about my $71.00 Internet bill, she said she pays $45.00.Whaaaat? I knew it. I’ve been convinced all along that these numbers are made up. Now, there is evidence. All across the US, Comcast is using made up numbers so they can buy NBC. Why is it that they get the airwaves for free (in the public interest) and we have to pay to use them? Oh, that’s right. They are represented in Congress and we’re not. How do you spell "rip-off"? Have I ranted enough?

I’m canceling my installation on Tuesday and looking into Clearwire WiMax for Internet and phone. That gets rid of Comcast and Qwest (another spawn of Satan). I’ll keep you posted. Right now, I’m researching TV providers. As we know, they may provide 256 channels but I'm still afraid the only thing that’s on is a weekend marathon showing reruns of Buffy.

Is this a great country or what?