Why Comcast, AT&T Want Arbitration > This is legal why?

This is legal why?

A very good question. The law ought to impose some limits on what businesses can require in exchange for products or services. Money is OK, but they should not be allowed to require people giving up basic constitutional rights.

If no limits are imposed by law, and the trend continues, it will eventually amount to a virtual repeal of the 13th amendment.

reply to sporkme
Because Big business and they lobbyists rule the land, and our "Representatives" do nothing to represent our interests.

reply to moonpuppy
Cable and phone aren't necessities, in the sense you won't die without them. But internet is becoming an increasingly important part of modern life. A credit card isn't necessary in a strict sense, but you can't travel for business without one, and this places a severe limit on a career. Without the credit history you may not get approved for a mortgage, and apartment complexes may soon have the arbitration clauses, if they don't already, so keeping your right to have disputes resolved according to law may soon mean being homeless. What is the standard of "necessity"?

What it amounts to is, if there are no limits on these "contracts of adhesion", then to keep fundamental rights that the authors of the Constitution intended for everyone, you will have to be a hermit like Kaczynski, exiled from society.

So far it's only access to the judicial system that corporations are requiring citizens to give up. Later it may be freedom of speech, travel, privacy, assembly, and more.

It requires you to go to court (and pay for it) twice. Once to appeal the illegal arbitration clause. (which shouldn't be too difficult). Once to hear the actual case.

reply to swhx7