I’m an older guy, and I still listen to the radio some, I even (voluntarily) purchased a mp3 player that came equipped an FM stereo radio (that was voluntarily added to the device for assumably marketing/business reasons). I was looking for that feature specifically (it even records off the air or a built in microphone) in addition to the usual mp3 features. Just what I needed for MY purposes, MY tastes. That means they sold maybe 12 worldwide (LOL)

I’m actually financially attached to radio, I wish everyone listened all day, but neither I nor anyone else has a right to use force (government) to make someone add it to their product or force me to buy it when I don’t want it and resent having to pay for it.

If we really put radio to use as a public good they would scream and wail and gnash their teeth about all the profit they would lose from missed advertisements, etc. etc.

I think they are also outrageously arrogant because lately they have been raising a stink about the royalties that they pay to artists for the right to perform it on radio. They claim they are doing the artists a favor by giving them publicity for their music while seemingly missing the fact that no one would listen to the GD radio if it wasn’t for our music. (of course I am assuming a music format choice) I actually listened (in person) to a station programming director prattle on about this while whining about new Federal Laws that control their format and broadcasting schedule. Just this year.

I guess when you sell your soul to the devil you shouldn’t be surprised when he comes to collect payments. This entire subject is just that exactly. They sold out to be run by the government, the government sold them out, and now they want the government to bail them out by forcing others to give them a venue for their product, and pay for it too. Idiots.