As if the FCC’s bonehead decision to relax broadcast ownership rules wasn’t bad enough (did they sit around thinking “You know, I just don’t think the media monopolies are big enough?”), now comes word from Declan McCullagh that the FCC is considering taxing cable modems.

Now the FCC is wondering whether it’s high time to tax both DSL and cable modems at the same rate. Its February 2002 request for comment questioned “whether other facilities-based providers of broadband Internet access services (should) be required to contribute” to the fund.

The telecom boondoggle didn’t end with the bankruptcy of Worldcom. It’s still going on, perpetuated by the FCC. I knew trouble was brewing back when the government got the bright idea to auction the public’s airwaves to the highest bidder. Awash in new-found money (but who cares if it was based on fraud?), Congress actually factored the spectrum auctions into balancing the federal budget. Now that the telecom bubble has burst and the public’s airwaves aren’t being greedily snatched up anymore, I suppose I shouldn’t be surprised that the hungry FCC is seeking other ways to feed itself.

I think its high time fellow Americans held the FCC responsible for screwing up this country’s media. I plan to do my part by reminding my representatives to do their jobs.