The problem is that taxing entrants into the cable market creates a very high barrier to entry. The tax is not being levied directly on voters, but indirectly, by creating a monopoly that provides poor service, when they could instead have competition providing great service.
> The tax is not being levied directly on voters, but indirectly, by creating a monopoly that provides poor service, when they could instead have competition providing great service.
But isn't the point here precisely that without the tax or other barriers to entry, "they" would not have great service? Some might -- but it seems likely that far fewer would get it than with build-out requirements and so on in place. I think the government has an obligation to avoid leaving those people behind in this case.