Put people first in Comcast-NBC merger

[Commentary] There is a lot of debate about the “message” sent by voters to Washington in the last election. While everyone has their personal opinions, one message that stood out was “put people first.” Americans of all party affiliations are sick of special interests driving our national agenda. Fortunately, our government has a unique chance to demonstrate that it gets the message.

Comcast, the nation’s largest cable company, is trying to buy NBC-Universal to create the most powerful media company in American history. Before this dangerous deal can be completed, federal regulators have a chance to stand up for the people. They should take the opportunity to do so. The 2010 election cycle showed how corporations are able to exploit that loophole to pour hundreds of millions of dollars into election advertising. Comcast’s lobbying and contribution spree is part and parcel of this same phenomenon of corporations seeking to bend government to their will. And it is that corporate and special interest power that the American people are rebelling against.

The Comcast-NBCU merger is a raw deal, and consumers know it. It puts too much power in the hands of one company. It is bad for our wallets, our TV dial, our Internet and our country. The people are asking policymakers to put the public interest first. Saying no to the Comcast merger, as proposed, would send a powerful message that Washington finally is hearing us. And in doing so, help protect the kind of competitive, diverse media that our democracy requires.

[Dill (D-Cape Elizabeth) represents District 121 in the Maine House of Representatives and is the Digital Democracy project director for Common Cause.]