Point:

We live in the greatest democracy in the world. However, our greatness is threatened if AT&T and Time Warner are able to merge together. Imagine two companies that dominate their respective industries becoming one ultra-company. Talk about “too big to fail.” This single company could completely control the FCC with lobbyists who advocate for higher profits at the expense of customers by controlling their means of consuming content. The idea of net neutrality, or treating the internet as a utility that can’t be throttled, will go out the window when AT&T-Time Warner is in control. Imagine having to watch “Shrek” in standard definition, or having to pay extra to watch it or watch ads vs. getting HD access to the “Dark Knight” films for free. An AT&T/Time Warner monopoly gets to decide what content is more valuable, not the consumer.

Additionally, this merger likely violates the law. With an AT&T/Time Warner merger, a single company will once again control the production and distribution of film and video content, which, if allowed, completely disregards the antitrust decision of the Supreme Court in United States v. Paramount Pictures, Inc. In this landmark decision, it was ruled that studios could not also distribute their films, preventing the studios from only distributing to theaters they owned.

This merger is dangerous, illegal and only benefits the companies involved. Smaller mergers have been prevented before due to the threat of monopoly. The FTC needs to stop this merger immediately.

Counterpoint:

I have no idea what Matt is talking about. I’ve been playing Monopoly with my family for years–how is that threatening anyone? Does he realize it’s just a game? Listen, my concern is with the government staying out of my business. I’m sick of politicians and these crazy radical pro-government people telling me what I should and shouldn’t be doing. This is a free country, and we’ll play whatever damn board game we want on family night. Next they’re going to tell me the battleship token has a cannon on it and needs to get replaced. I’m so sick of this PC culture and their obsession with everything I decide to do. You’d think ‘Pro-Choice’ would go beyond one issue, but I guess not. I don’t even know what AT&T has to do with this decision. Why the hell would my cell phone company and the government be telling me what I can and can’t play with my family? Let me tell you what to do: lower my goddamn bill. Yeah, you don’t like me saying that, do you? Well it goes both ways. Stay out of my business.