QotD: The Phone Company

The least surprising thing about the Bush administration's massive domestic surveillance operation is the role of America's phone companies as junior partners in the mission. In fact, the welfare-warfare state has seldom had such a good ally as Ma Bell and all her rapidly in-breeding progeny.

I do not think I'm channeling my inner Dr. Sidney Schaefer when I say the phone companies are among the most contemptible actors on the American socio-political stage today. Like the recording industry, the Bells seek to preserve a particular business model via intrusive government regulation. This regulation is purchased with heavy campaign contributions on both the state and federal level, not to mention loyal toadyism in any government official's War on Whatever.

Jeff A. Taylor, "Unliberty Bells: Phone guys—fascists or fellow-travelers?", Reason, 2006-05-19