Obama: broadband internet access for all!

[NorCal Cat]

Heard on the radio this morning that Obama is promising that as President, he will ensure that every American has broadband access to the internet. Gee...that's great Obama. That's about item number 235 on the list of issues the country needs solved. I'm sure a promise to ensure everyone has a laptop computer in order to use this internet access is next. I can see it now...the soup kitchens will soon be asking "chicken noodle or vegetable, Dell or HP?" As people come to claim their new "right" of internet access. I guess if Hillary is promising savings bonds to every baby, Obama has to try something to buy votes also.

[Cali Coug]

Originally Posted by NorCal Cat

Heard on the radio this morning that Obama is promising that as President, he will ensure that every American has broadband access to the internet. Gee...that's great Obama. That's about item number 235 on the list of issues the country needs solved. I'm sure a promise to ensure everyone has a laptop computer in order to use this internet access is next. I can see it now...the soup kitchens will soon be asking "chicken noodle or vegetable, Dell or HP?" As people come to claim their new "right" of internet access. I guess if Hillary is promising savings bonds to every baby, Obama has to try something to buy votes also.

If America is going to remain atop the economic food chain, this is a necessity. It is good for business, education, and the economy. Many other nations already provide for broadband access for all of their citizens. The US is behind in this regard and would be well-served to catch up.

[Tex]

Originally Posted by Cali Coug

If America is going to remain atop the economic food chain, this is a necessity. It is good for business, education, and the economy. Many other nations already provide for broadband access for all of their citizens. The US is behind in this regard and would be well-served to catch up.

Heh, the US is not "behind" at all. One could also say we're "behind" on state-run health care by that standard. Just curious, I wonder how of these generous nations have our GDP and population.

Oh, and please fill me in: who's going to pay for it again?

[Cali Coug]

Originally Posted by Tex

Heh, the US is not "behind" at all. One could also say we're "behind" on state-run health care by that standard. Just curious, I wonder how of these generous nations have our GDP and population.

Oh, and please fill me in: who's going to pay for it again?

See below. Then visit another country with good wifi and get back to me on whether or not we are behind.

[TripletDaddy]

Originally Posted by Cali Coug

See below. Then visit another country with good wifi and get back to me on whether or not we are behind.

Country? Try continent....like most of western Europe and Asia.

The US is a joke when it comes to broadband access. Our phony 3G capabilities that arent even a reality here yet.....they are last week's news in Japan, Korea, Scandanavia, etc...

I personally would love wi-fi in populated US areas and beyond. The fact that we may have to pay for it in tax or increased rates from a private company doesnt turn me off at all.

[Tex]

Originally Posted by Cali Coug

See below. Then visit another country with good wifi and get back to me on whether or not we are behind.

Do you have some hard examples, or are you just going to continue to float this?

And again, let's not compare just per capita ... let's compare GDP and population size. And tax rates.

[Cali Coug]

Originally Posted by Tex

Do you have some hard examples, or are you just going to continue to float this?

And again, let's not compare just per capita ... let's compare GDP and population size. And tax rates.

Or- why don't we compare wifi since that is what we are discussing? I suppose we could compare who has the best flowers too, but I don't see how it would be helpful either.

Examples: Asia and Western Europe. Beating our socks off. If you don't agree, then you simply need to do some research.

Our wifi is woefully behind that of many other industrialized nations. And it isn't a matter of the government paying for the infrastructure to be built here. Private enterprise is shouldering much of the responsibility because they are quickly learning that it is very profitable for them to do so. There is a reason Google wants to give people wifi for free.

Private enterprise needs a willing partner in the government. Cities like San Fransisco have jumped on that bandwagon, to their benefit.

We are willing to pay for highways because they are good for the nation for defense and commerce. Wifi isn't much different- and the government doesn't even have to foot the bill for most of America. This is a common-sense idea that Obama has presented.

[ChinoCoug]

Broadband Access per capita

http://www.nationmaster.com/graph/in...ess-per-capita

#1 Korea, South: 2.466 per 10 people
#2 Hong Kong: 2.335 per 10 people
#3 Netherlands: 2.334 per 10 people
#4 Denmark: 2.255 per 10 people
#5 Switzerland: 2.07 per 10 people
#6 Canada: 1.93 per 10 people
#7 Norway: 1.925 per 10 people
#8 Finland: 1.92 per 10 people
#9 Sweden: 1.868 per 10 people
#10 Taiwan: 1.841 per 10 people
#11 Israel: 1.824 per 10 people
#12 Belgium: 1.792 per 10 people
#13 Japan: 1.641 per 10 people
#14 France: 1.472 per 10 people
#15 United Kingdom: 1.466 per 10 people
#16 United States: 1.382 per 10 people
#17 Austria: 1.305 per 10 people
#18 Australia: 1.177 per 10 people
#19 Spain: 1.087 per 10 people
#20 Portugal: 1.087 per 10 people

[ChinoCoug]

Yo ideologues:

Even Romney recognizes the government has a role in investing in Research and Development

"In technology, we as a country already invest an enormous amount--for instance, in defense technology, space technology, health--but we also need to invest in some of the emerging technologies that are important at a basic science level such as fuel cell technology, power generation, materials science, automotive technology. We have to recognize that where we invest as a nation, both from a government standpoint but also from a private standpoint, those are the areas we've been most successful."

http://www.mittromney.com/Issue-Watch/Technology

[NorCal Cat]

Originally Posted by Cali Coug

If America is going to remain atop the economic food chain, this is a necessity. It is good for business, education, and the economy. Many other nations already provide for broadband access for all of their citizens. The US is behind in this regard and would be well-served to catch up.

Behind in what regard? Becoming a socialist country? Damn right we are.