Cable, and Internet, and Phone, Oh My !

Why are my utilities so expensive ?

What is essential ? What is non-essential ?

My server is CHARTER SPECTRUM. They are an evil company and I have never had anything nice to say about their product and service. Everything they offer is overpriced and if they fail to negotiate a good deal with one of their clients, they will screw the customer to re-coop their so-called loss.
Technically, they are not a monopoly. A T & T also offers comparable service. That company is not any cheaper.
The only dealings that I have with the company formerly known as Pacific Bell where I live, is that I subscribe to the universal lifeline. I pay over $14/month for a landline that has limited calling service (my zone is about a 13 mile radius). They list themselves as the provider of last resort which means they want to be released from their contract to provide us with service.
I have no call waiting, call forwarding, caller ID, conference calling... you get the picture. Just your basic welfare line. The connection isn't all that great because when I pick up the phone I can hear voices in Chinese (I believe it's a radio station).
I have a little ROKU thing-a-ma-bob hanging from a hole in the flat screen TV. I thought I would be able to look at the basic channels like NBC, CBS, ABC.. but even they require signing up. I have refused to join Netflix or Youtube because when you pay for each service, you wind up paying almost as much as you would for the whole package.