[at-l] Re: PBS was THE ATC & Membership therein - a bit longish

[carol1944 at brmemc.net (Carol Donaldson)]

Which is why we like people to support the Cottage Industry and the road-side produce stand.  And "off brands" where at all possible.  (They're the same as the big name brands, just don't have the label or the extra cost.)

I don't watch television.  My magazines:  Blue Ridge Country, Backpacker, ATNews, AHS (newly joined).  And of course computer generated e-zines which have no advertisements other than their own fund-raisers.  I actively support two such e-zines with monthly contributions and will add another.  I occasionally purchase an Atlanta Journal-Constitution -- like once every six months.  

I also remember when you got nearly 25 minutes for a half-hour show with most commercials around the hour and half hour.  NOW, it's like 19 minutes of show for 11 of commercials.  Hmmmm, at this rate, by the time I'm eighty, there'll be 9 minutes of show and 21 of commercials.

Shop local, shop often, shop cottage industry, shop roadside stand, barter, and hike your own hike.

Coosa 
----- Original Message ----- 
  From: Jim Bullard 

  And I'm going to give you something to think about re: commercial 
  broadcasting. Have you ever considered that nearly everything you buy has a 
  "tax" on it that supports commercial TV and/or radio? All those products 
  that get advertised have higher prices (a "private, non-governmental tax") 
  that pays for the cost of the ads to convince people to buy the product? 
  Have you ever considered that you pay that non-governmental tax whenever 
  you buy the product even if you never watch/listen to the stations/programs 
  they support? Have you ever thought about the tax break the companies get 
  for the "business expense" of buying advertising, an expense they paid with 
  dollars they took from *your* pocket without asking you? Something to think 
  about when you wonder "why does this cost so much?".

  At least when PBS asks for your money they are up front about it.