Lonnie Atkinson, who is our radio neighbor on WRVU with Alternative Radio, gave perhaps the most poignant and passionate testimony at Monday’s FCC hearing. He deservedly recevied a standing ovation. He gave us permission to republish his testimony, and I’m happy to do so.

Because it is so infrequent, I think it’s always refreshing when government officials are willing to engage the citizens they serve in a dialogue.

Having said that, I would like to ask: Why are we really here? Why are we actually discussing this?

I think it’s fair to say that the government should be a function of the people. So are we here because the people have been beating down your doors begging for greater media consolidation. Are we here because the people have been calling their representatives in Congress by the thousands expressing their burning desire for media ownership to be in the hands of fewer and fewer individuals.

Well, of course not. In fact, it’s quite the contrary. You’re all aware of the public outcry the last time this issue was on the table. It was three million people. You’re all aware of the calls and faxes and emails flooding into your offices right now.

Anyone who is not being paid to think otherwise knows that this wouldn’t even be considered today if there weren’t a powerful business lobby demanding it.

So why are we really here? In other words, is this for real?
Because, by now, the question is not what we think. You know what we think.
The question is: Does it matter?
Are you here today to truly listen to what we want as a people and then go back to Washington and act on it? Or are you here today simply to humor us?

Is the government a function of the people or is the government a function of big business?
You will decide whether this is a true demonstration of participatory democracy or whether this is a mockery of political representation.
Do not take my words today as an insult. Take them as a challenge to prove your worthiness as commissioners.
You are public servants. That means us. Not some handful of corporations.
Look around. We are concerned citizens. We are trying to believe that there are still some parts left of our system that are not yet fully broken. We are trying to believe that we matter.

Don’t make fools of us. Don’t let us look back on today and see this all as a cruel joke.
Today is not about your generosity in listening. It is about our patience with this system. Do not dismiss that patience.

You know what we think. You know what to do. Please do not let us down.

This post was written by Freddie