Note to self… never cancel the TV show of a guy with political ambitions

Al Franken is trying his damndest to shut down the Comcast/NBC merger. I’m sure it has nothing at all to do with it, but I think it’s worth noting that, prior to getting into politics, Franken worked for NBC. It’s also worth noting, I think, that executives at NBC cancelled his series, LateLine, after a single season… As for the proposed merger, Franken is exactly right. A merger between the two giant companies would be a terrible thing for our country. Watch the following video, and, if you agree, join me in sending the letter below to Attorney General Holder and FCC Chairman Genachowski.

And here’s the letter:

Dear Attorney General Holder and Chairman Genachowski,

We write to urge you to reject the merger of Comcast Corporation and NBC Universal.

This deal would mean higher cable rates and less freedom of choice for American consumers, and it would give a single media conglomerate unprecedented control over the flow of information in America. Whenever the same company owns both the content and the pipes delivering that content, consumers lose.

Already, we have seen that Comcast is not operating in good faith. By imposing a new fee on the company delivering Netflix’s online video streaming, Comcast is trying to kill off a competitor. Comcast has also refused to provide the FCC with documents necessary for the review process, and has already named the 43 executives who will take over NBC Universal.

As American consumers, we know a bad deal when we see one. Allowing this merger to proceed could lead to subsequent deals, leaving Americans at the mercy of a few powerful media conglomerates.

Don’t fall for Comcast’s spin. Don’t be swayed by their army of lobbyists. Stand up for American consumers. Stop this merger.

To send a copy of this letter to Holder and Genachowski, click here.