[Advisors] Re: [CommunityInformaticsCanada] FW: [governance] US:
FCC proposes large public WiFi networks; tech, telecom giants take sides
Gary W Kenward
garykenward at eastlink.ca
Wed, 06 Feb 2013 02:09:44 -0400
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"We don't charge you to walk on our sidewalks. Why would we charge you for broadband?
Sidewalks are paid for by taxes. So people are charged, whether the want sidewalks or not. Sidewalks are, like all things in life, not free.
Given current spending cutbacks, which government services would you suggest people are willing to give up in order to provide universal free access to broadband? Which issue do you feel "boomers and seniors" care more about? Health care, unemployment, pensions, public safety, defence, the environment, education, or free access to the Internet? Food, shelter and safety will always take precedence. Even with younger generations.
Free communications via mail, telephony, radio, television and carrier pigeon has never been considered a universal right. So there is a remarkable precedent to be set.
What's missing in much of the current dialogue around universal free access is an argument for the greater common good that convinces the majority that its worth government intervention - and spending. That truly convinces the majority that governments can do a better job then the private sector. Given recent trends to privatize - with voter support - this will be difficult.
Gary
Plus ca change, plus c'est le meme chose
On 2013-02-05, at 5:16, James Van Leeuwen <jvl@ventus.ca> wrote:
> "We don't charge you to walk on our sidewalks. Why would we charge you for broadband?
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<html><head><meta http-equiv=3D"content-type" content=3D"text/html; charset=3D=
utf-8"></head><body dir=3D"auto"><div><br><b><i style=3D"-webkit-text-size-a=
djust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">"We don't charge you=
to walk on our sidewalks. Why would we charge you for broadband?</i></b></d=
iv><div><span style=3D"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><b><i><br></i></b></=
span></div><div><span style=3D"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">Sidewalks ar=
e paid for by taxes. So people are charged, whether the want sidewalks or no=
t. Sidewalks are, like all things in life, not free. </span></div><div>=
<span style=3D"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><br></span></div><div><span s=
tyle=3D"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">Given current spending cutbacks, wh=
ich government services would you suggest people are willing to give up in o=
rder to provide universal free access to broadband? Which issue do you feel "=
boomers and seniors" care more about? Health care, unemployment, pensions, p=
ublic safety, defence, the environment, education, or free access to the Int=
ernet? Food, shelter and safety will always take precedence. Even with young=
er generations. </span></div><div><span style=3D"-webkit-text-size-adju=
st: auto;"><br></span></div><div><span style=3D"-webkit-text-size-adjust: au=
to;">Free communications via mail, telephony, radio, television and carrier p=
igeon has never been considered a universal right. So there is a remarkable p=
recedent to be set.</span></div><div><span style=3D"-webkit-text-size-adjust=
: auto;"><br></span></div><div><span style=3D"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto=
;">What's missing in much of the current dialogue around universal free acce=
ss is an argument for the greater common good that convinces the majority th=
at its worth government intervention - and spending. That truly convinces th=
e majority that governments can do a better job then the private sector. Giv=
en recent trends to privatize - with voter support - this will be difficult.=
</span></div><div><span style=3D"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><br></span=
></div><div><span style=3D"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">Gary</span></div=
><div><span style=3D"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><b><i><br></i></b>Plus=
ca change, plus c'est le meme chose</span></div><div style=3D"-webkit-text-=
size-adjust: auto; "><br>On 2013-02-05, at 5:16, James Van Leeuwen <<a hr=
ef=3D"mailto:jvl@ventus.ca">jvl@ventus.ca</a>> wrote:<br><br></div><block=
quote type=3D"cite" style=3D"-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; ">"We don't cha=
rge you to walk on our sidewalks. Why would we charge you for broadband?</bl=
ockquote></body></html>=
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