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U.S. Considering Nationwide Internet Access Plan
Believe it or not, the ol' U.S. of A. is the only industrialized nation without a nationwide Internet policy, and, as LiveScience reports, we've begun to lag even further behind the rest of the countries seated around the big kids' table. According to 2008 broadband access figures from the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, the U.S. ranked 15th among the organization's 30 member countries, after coming in 4th back in 2001. Unlike Finland, the U.S. reportedly won't go so far as to officially declare broadband access a basic human right. But at a time when the FCC says that more than 75-percent of employers accept only those applications submitted online, it's more or less an essential asset for anyone wanting frivolous things like a career.
It won't be easy -- and it certainly won't be cheap. The FCC is estimating that it would take about $350 billion to guarantee 100 megabits-per-second broadband access to all Americans. Despite all of our fiscal worries, President Obama seems committed to the plan, after earmarking $7.2 billion for broadband expansion in his stimulus package, and calling for America to "lead the world in broadband access and Internet penetration." Basic human right or not, Internet access has now become a capacity building prerequisite for individual and national advancement. If the U.S. wants to emerge from the financial crisis towards the front of the herd, we'd better get our act together, and get connected. [From: LiveScience]
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Comments
55
Subscribe to commentsMatthew ZurasFeb 2nd 2010 3:03PM
Seriously, where do you guys come up with this stuff? Obama is "giving the net to the UN"? What does that even mean?
You kill me. Keep commenting!
JoeFeb 2nd 2010 3:04PM
Wow! You've been going to too many Hollyweird movies. Time for you to get a grasp on reality there buddy. You have a right to say what you want, but you also have a responsibility to defend what you say. Can you defend parroted lies? Show me your proof. I have my proof of what I say. I've been there, seen all that was to be offered and what you say is bogus and an out-right LIE!
MTMFeb 2nd 2010 5:29PM
They'll make it mandatory for everyone to participate, and it'll be worse then AOL!
DanFeb 2nd 2010 3:46PM
I hope that's a satirical statement you're making. Because if it isn't you need to pack your survival kit and move into a cave, or become Amish. The internet is now a necessary skill in the marketplace. The plain fact is that, if you want to do more than flip burgers, you will have to have internet skills. Our business marketplace is not keeping up with the wave of the demand coming in. It would be refreshing to see the US antipate and be ahead of the curve rather than be dragged, kicking and screaming, "it's too expensive" and "it's socialist".
annibmartFeb 2nd 2010 3:46PM
Poot,
If you cannot stand behind our troops(because you think they are out to rape and murder everyone), then feel free to stand in front of them....our troops are daily giving the ultimate sacrifice so that you can be free to spew garbage in public. Get over yourself and get a real job and a real life...
BradFeb 2nd 2010 10:14PM
I know the people on the right have got to be saying "NO" to socialism in regard to the internet. Let us all hear your voices!
bnut10Feb 2nd 2010 3:54PM
All of you people have nothing to do!!!!!!!!!
teddorisFeb 2nd 2010 3:56PM
Just another thing the government wants to take over. I'm tired of it.
JanFeb 2nd 2010 4:05PM
Reply to Poot and the rest of you who think internet access at the library is free. IT IS NOT FREE..It is only free in the sence to those too cheap to buy their own, so they go to the library where taxpayer money provides the service. So even if you pay to have internet access at home, YOU are paying for internet twice, at home and the library.........
JanFeb 2nd 2010 4:13PM
To Poot and all others who think internet access is free at the library, Think again.The library access is free to those who can't afford it at home or for those who are just too cheap to purchase it. YOU pay for the library access through you taxes, so in essence you are paying for it twice if you pay for it at home, you also pay for others to use it at the library.....
MikeFeb 2nd 2010 6:52PM
Poot is what you are. I can clearly see by your comment that you absolutely have no idea of what you are talking about. You simpleton, these guys are saving you "Poot". If you would take the time to realize that they are over there fighting because they don't want to fight over here. They are doing what they are supposed to do, have you done your share? I assume not buy the way you are talking. I suppose that you will become one of those lying Senators or Congressmen that think they know how to run the country and will totally screw it up. Wake up. Get a life.
PatFeb 2nd 2010 8:22PM
It is something some of us that have been stuck with dial-up have been waiting for. Everytime I have called to upgrade to a faster connection, all I get is that they don't have coverage in this area.
It is upsetting based on the fact people living three blocks from me have high speed internet connections.
RobertFeb 3rd 2010 12:19AM
Any government involvement will only mean more regulations, taxes and control of the majority of the people by a minority of the people, thereby making the rich and greedy more rich and greedy and everyone else sub-serviant.
Let's clean house this year and get rid of at least half of the politicians as a promise to the remaining ones that we are ready to do the same to them if they don't straighten up.
AntoineBugleboyFeb 3rd 2010 7:21PM
How are these people who are too poor to afford internet service buying computers? Or the training to use the computers?
ChowderFeb 10th 2010 9:17AM
This makes no sense to me at all. Yes I'm all for advancing, but not just because other countries are doing it and are beating us at something. It makes no sense mostly because...first one needs a job in order to afford a computer so one can use the internet...and then it usually helps to live in a dwelling such as a house or an apartment where the service can be provided. As the people in our country are loosing jobs and loosing their homes...I can pretty much bet they can not access the internet and really don't care where we stand technology wise. So, in short...concentrate on keeping jobs in our country instead of where to spend our tax dollars we do not have. Of course, I suppose we need to do some upgrades to our country before making it completely appealing the Chinese government.