Results from last week's online poll 3/12/07

The state legislature is taking steps to halt local control of cable ccompanies which some say discourages competition. The Southeast Missourian asked, "Should the state limit local control of cable franchises?" Due to rounding, percentages may not add up to 100. (254 votes)

* 45 percent: Yes

* 41 percent: No

* Don't know: Don't know

Comments:

• "I only get four channels with my antenna. I wonder how many I would get with this new franchise's antenna."
• "A competitive open market is what this country is all about. Let the consumer decide. When telephone service opened up to competition we got cheaper rates and better service. The same may happen with cable TV."
• "I have had Charter Cable for four years. It was $50 then, it is $70 now. That is too much of an increase, especially over only four years. I am about to tell them to just turn it off. Seventy dollars is too much for TV!"
• "Whether it's nationwide or citywide, if you have only one choice, it's called a monopoly. Thought that was illegal."
• "Need more competition to keep prices fair."
• "I don't know how much local 'control' there should be, but there should be competing cable services to drive prices down."
• "One company is plenty."
• "My cable rates have gone up something like three times in the last year."
• "In Cape Girardeau, Charter has ruled the roost for too long. Charter has poor customer service and outrageous prices for their cable television service. The only reason they have been able to do this is because they have a monopoly in this city. I say it is about time they get some competition!"