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When Sinclair Broadcast Group and Mediacom Communications Corp. weren't able to reach an agreement for pricing concerning a new agreement, Sinclair pulled 22 of their stations from Mediacom after the contract expired. The result was that 700,000 cable subscribers were left without cable access to network-affiliated stations.

Not willing to make a deal, Mediacom resorted to trying to get the government involved. Sinclair rightly stated that it is a matter that is between two private companies that the government has no business interfering with.

Listening to the Mediacom Chairman and CEO Rocco B. Commisso, reveals that he evidently doesn't like operating in a free-market system. Here's the rhetoric he used when trying to influence opinion over the matter:

Sinclair "is intent on using its raw market power and leverage to discriminate against Mediacom and other smaller cable companies serving small communities across America."

"Without price discrimination it should lead to a similar result."

"But because of Sinclair's discriminatory practices..."

"outraged over Sinclair's total disregard for the inconveniences brought on Mediacom's customers..."

"cannot begin to comprehend why the FCC, while acknowledging that the public interest would be best served by the parties resolving their dispute through arbitration, has not acted yet to order such a resolution."

This is nothing more than a socialist argument that has been buried since the fall of the Soviet Union. Anyone in charge of a company in America needs to have a little understanding of free market economics to be in that position.

In a free market economny, there's no such thing as "price discrimination." The term itself has no meaning.

When he mentions "raw market power," he's right. That's what a market it. There is nothing new about companies that are larger being able to secure better deals and rates in any industry through buying more products or services. It's that simple.

His rant that Sinclair is disregarding Mediacom's customers only reinforces Commisso's incompetence. He's responsible for making the deal that ensures uninterrupted coverage. If he and Mediacom can't afford to be in the business, maybe they need to be sold to someone that can.

By his own words, he can't comprehend why the FCC doesn't act to order that they come to a resolution. What kind of nonsense is that? That's the same as ordering a married couple to get along better together and not divorce.

Using the inflammatory words he used in this deal, shows that his customers are pressuring him to make a deal, and he's the one that's not performing his duty to get it done. He's the one that's failed miserably in all aspects of this scenario.

Mediacom needs someone that is able to understand business, economics and is able to negotiate without the type of ranting that evidently is part of the problem in the first place.

Sinclair's side of the story.