"We recognize that no one enjoys a price increase, and we've worked diligently over the last three years to hold the line on cable prices," says Cox's New England manager - so here's a price-increase. The hike comes despite the fact Cox just convinced ESPN - who cable companies always blame for the hikes - to back into a less expensive deal.

From the "Make them Play Fair" website, which Cox put up to help protest ESPN's greed and get consumers angry at ESPN instead of them:

"This proves that consumer advocacy works. Consumers learned about the issue, then sent 100,000+ letters and e-mails to ESPN and to Congress asking ESPN to moderate its price increase. ESPN responded, and consumers won."

They won so big, they got a price hike anyway! Congratulations.

While cable broadband rates are stable, customers in many regions are facing another round of basic cable hikes (Comcast, Adelphia) immediately following the hikes some saw pre-Christmas.

Just so we have this straight: cable rates keep rising, even after the industry strikes deals with their mortal enemy ESPN, but A La Carte (picking and choosing channels) isn't a good idea because it would raise cable rates?

Since Congress deregulated the cable industry back in 1996, cable rates have increased a whopping 53%, while inflation has risen 19%. The one politician who seems to care about these endless hikes - John McCain - seems to to be as consistent in pursuing the issue as a narcoleptic Labrador Retriever.

"As long as cable rates continue to go up, the pressure will increase," McCain warned the industry last spring.

Your move, John.