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Joined 1 year ago
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Cake day: July 22nd, 2023

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  • I see the occasional Deere dealership while traveling the countryside. How are they still in business? Every single farmer, bar none, has to know about their business practices. And FFS, independent action like fixing your own shit is core to country life. Maybe they’re coasting on parts sales vs. new machine sales?

    Best part the summary missed:

    Last year, the company issued a “memorandum of understanding.” The document was a promise to farmers that it would finally let them repair their own equipment, so long as states didn’t pass any laws around the right to repair.

    LOL, get real.

    Chief among Deere’s promises was that it would provide farmers and independent repair shops with the equipment and documentation they needed to repair their equipment. The promises of the memorandum have not come to pass.

    I’ve heard the other manufacturers aren’t locking down repairs. Anyone know if that’s true?














  • Naw, last thing I want is the government running our internet. Hell, it would have never kicked off 30 years ago if not for private enterprise. Back then your average Joe knew jack about this new “information superhighway”. Voters would have never agreed to fund it, let alone blow it up as fast as the capitalists did. And yes, we’ve entered the “last stage” of that particular game. Enshitiffication is well under way.

    As of 10-years ago or so (thoughts?), internet access is a need. Not as important as power or water, but it should clearly be regulated like a public utility. I’ve worked for a few ISPs, so I know the devil in the details, but:

    • ISPs should be mandated to provide for rural customers at the same terms as urban folks.
    • Local governments, even states, should be shut out of decisions concerning competition. If a competitor can build new plant, or light up dark fiber, they can go for it.
    • Provide base-level service as a welfare benefit. Access is that important. Try finding a job without it.

    tl;dr: Government’s role is to dial it in, not take it over.