As we've noted, both cable and phone operators not only make up completely bogus consumer groups [2] to support their political positions, they also frequently donate cash to minority and disability organizations in exchange for vocal political support [3] for policies that often aren't in constituents' best interest (or vice versa).

FCC boss Kevin Martin ran into some trouble [4] last week when he criticized some cable industry-backed minority groups who were fighting against his desire to implement "a la carte" (the ability to purchase individual channels) cable programming:

Those groups called Martin's comments "patronizing and insulting," and forced Martin to apologize. Of course, similar tactics [5] were key in helping Martin and the phone industry push their vision of "franchise reform," but received no such tongue lashing from the FCC boss -- who the cable industry claims gives phone operators preferential treatment.