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Hollow talk
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Posted on Apr 28 2005
Sen. Thomas Villagomez agrees with the MPLA to impose a fee on the underground cables that run through government lands. Even if I do not really like Verizon because of the fees they impose on their services, I still think that imposing a fee on that company will create a vicious circle that will, in the long run, adversely affect and further burden the consumers.
Look at it this way. The government will charge the fees, Verizon will pass on the additional expense to the consumers, government will use the money raised to serve the people. Ergo, the people will actually finance the government’s services. Why not just raise taxes if the intent is to raise government revenue? But is it the best solution?
If Sen. Villagomez and the MPLA would like to charge Verizon for the cable they run through government land, then shouldn’t the government also charge cars that run through government roads and freeways, or people strolling on the Paseo de Marianas? If the benefit of the people is really in the minds of Sen. Villagomez and the MPLA, they should have joined the governor when he was fighting with Verizon, a fight that resulted in the elimination of the toll fees between islands, retention of current Verizon employees, and so on.
Had these politicians worked together to impose more demands before the final approval of the Verizon sale, then the rates we pay Verizon would have been lower. Major problem is the legislators are fragmented and phlegmatic. As it appears right now, Senator Villagomez is merely politicking, hoping that people would believe his so-called “noble” intention. As for me, it’s just a hollow talk.
Lynn Vizconde
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