I like Penn and Teller. I think they are both funny and smart. I like B*llSh*t! for the same reasons. But in this case (and in other episodes), They are just plain wrong. The airwaves are a limited public resource. And they are going to get even more limited in 2009 when we lose channels 52 through 69 to private for profit companies. At that point, we will have 49 broadcast channels available in any market for television.

If the FCC were to disappear tomorrow, the following things would happen

#1. More broadcasters would be owned be fewer larger corporations.
#2. local content would disappear
#3. PEG (Public access, Educational and local Government) channels would disappear from cable.
#4. Programs aimed at Educating or Instructing kids would disappear from all channels.
#5. Standards, like NTSC and ATSC would start to balkanize. Look at cable boxes and satellite boxes to see this. You have to run Comcast's cable box, their software, their DVR, their digital package to watch TV.
#6. Cheap products produced somewhere else would start appearing that make no guarantees of safety or that they won't interfere with your TV reception. Because there would be no body to license these devices.
#7. TV ratings would disappear. I got kids and I like that idea that TV content is rated. I wouldn't let my kids watch the Sopranos but I'm happy that it's rated and that I know what to expect. That way, I can avoid it when watching TV with my kids and other people can watch it. That's all good.

There's a place for government. I like the idea that government inspectors are making sure the meat I buy is safe. I like the idea that cops are there to protect and serve me. I like the idea that we have a military to protect us from other countries that want to do us harm.

As for the idea that FCC is currently limited to over the air broadcast, that just isn't accurate. Satellite and cable companies have FCC regulations that they are currently obligated to follow. For instance, "must carry" rules, "basic service tier" requirements, etc.

In the abstract, nothing is wrong with polygamy. If multiple consenting adults want to get married, go for it. In practice, horny old men use religion and a closed society to coerce underage girls into marrying them. In the communities that practice polygamy, there is no gender equality.

So, yes, this argument is not related to the question of gay marriage.