A Threat to the Canadian Way of Life

Recently I heard a commercial from one of the major telecom companies telling me all about how the evil government is allowing another major foreign telecom company into the country which, according to the commercial, threatens our Canadian way of life.

(I won't name names, because since apparently I have people that buy advertisement space, alienating corporations could affect my bottom line.  $4.50 this year, thank you!)  Since I can't say anything demeaning about any major corporations, and since I have much venting to do, I will instead vent against things that can't defend themselves, and won't hurt my bottom line...

You stupid fucking kittens, I'm glad your mom got run over.

That's some big talk for a butler, Belvedere!

Corporate political correctness aside, the major Canadian telecom giant (I'm gonna call them Belvedere) lets us know that if the government lets the new guys into the Canada from the States, (like they did for Belvedere back in 1880), then the new telecom giant will buy up all the other telecom non-giants, (like Belvedere has been doing since 1880), and operate jobs outside of Canada, (like Belvedere did in 2010 At least according to this article.)  What's more, they'll mooch off of Belvedere's existing network, give nothing back, and offer very little to Canadians!

What bothers me the most though, is not that Belvedere is telling us misleading stories to try and get our patriotic sympathies, but that they are blaming it on the government!

That's right, the government are the bad guys, letting in the big evil American company, who will likely join Belvedere's oligopoly, and if we're lucky actually offer consumers competitive pricing for services which, in Canada, are the most expensive in the world!  (At least according to this article.)

The Government, your best interests at heart since 1492.

While it is true that I don't much trust the government to have my best interests at heart at all time, neither do I trust any corporations.  Like all things in society, they push their own agenda to their own interests.  (And it seems that for the most part, their interests are made up of dollar signs.  (Or whatever monetary values you use, I'm not hear to judge you, crazy Europeans.))  That's not to say, they never do the right thing by the general populace, it just that when they do, it seems to benefit them somehow monetarily.  I have no problem with this, as I am dyed in the wool capitalist.

As such, it is up to me to be informed about what is going on, and make decisions based on what is best for myself, family, and those I care about.  In this case I know that the government is probably doing the right thing for my interests.  I am a fan of having more choice in my financial decisions.  That's not to say that I will run straight to the new telecom service, I probably won't, but I like to know that I have the option.

Save these orphans...
From overpriced phone plans!

Belvedere is telling me that I need to have the government protect me from the evil corporations that want to take my money.  While I do believe the government does have a role in ensuring the general population is protected from corporations with poor business ethics like swindling retirees of their savings, and providing unsafe work conditions; I also believe that it's up to consumers to only support businesses which best support their own, and their communities best interests.  It's as simple as this...  If you don't like what the new telecom giant offers, don't buy their phone plan.  If you prefer the Canadian alternatives, give them your business.  The government should have nothing to do with it.  If the government says that the new guys can't come in, then Belevedere can go right one charging whatever they want.  If Belevedere doesn't want me to go to the new guy, then he'd better offer me something worth my money, because I vote with my dollars.

It of course is through voicing your opinions as a consumer by only giving money to those companies you feel are worth it, that you can really affect change in our society.  Corporations aren't evil per-say, they just are created specifically to make money.  They make money by offering a service or product for sale.  They have the right to offer that service at whatever cost the wish, and you have the right to decide if you want to pay or not.  In this case, the government should have nothing to do with it.  (Well, aside from clearing the paper work, and ensuring that fair business practices are observed.)

After that, it's up to you...

Yes, I will buy whatever you are selling.