It's all about the broadband.

[cooolandrew]

I think one of Barack's best suggestions is expanding the reach of broadband lines across the nation. What I think would be a good idea is for Barack to set up an address where people can send their old laptops that are in functioning order as a free donation. So, once the broadband lines are put down people can get free computers if they apply for them, so there is little excuse not to get online. Then he should work on making the monthly cost affordable for the broadband. Our best hope is the information age, and getting it to reach as many people as possible.

[Lyric]

1. What we NEED is to offer free public wi-fi nationwide.

As a government service, much like interstates, airwaves, etc. Access to the internet should be available to every household, regardless of where they live or whether they can pay. The federal government can, and should, make this happen.

[apnu]

3. Oh that's scary. Securing that would be daunting to say the least.

Talk about giving a free launching pad for script-kiddies. Yikes!

[Lyric]

7. Potential abuse isn't a good enough reason to avoid providing an important

(and much-needed) public service. If we want to take a REAL bite out of Corporate America, free government-supplied wi-fi service is a major step. The burden of paying for internet access is incredible to a poor, struggling family--and often impossible. School internet access is not a good compromise, as children have very little time to freely use it, are hampered in excess of common sense by filtering software that does not allow parents to overrule it, and must give up OTHER important activities (such as recess, which is important for physical development and growth) in order to take advantage of it.

The basic point is this: the internet has become as vital to day-to-day life as our interstate highways are. It is SO vital that keeping it as a for-profit entity is incredibly unfair to those who either cannot afford it, or do not have local access to it due to geography.

If we can afford spy satellites to tell us when some Chinese military officer in Beijing takes a bathroom break, we can afford to provide internet access to the entire nation.

Edited to add: Not to mention the fact that the internet permits an enormous increase in awareness of government and education about issues. Small-town America NEEDS this--badly. A better-informed population can only help us all.

[Lex]

4. I agree.

I've been saying this for awhile. It is a necessary resource for information for the citizenry, much like the public airwaves for radio and tv broadcasts.

[darkism]

2. And net neutrality. And a loosening if not outright abolition of the DMCA.

I know Biden's not going to be much help on the DMCA bit, but then again it's not his decision anyway.

[apnu]

5. There you go. Nail meet head. Obama's floating the idea of a CTO for America.

Interesting notion. I like the idea of a cabinet position to focus on technology and infrastructure, but most CTO's I've meet are people I'd rather not meet again, personally or professionally.

[yeswecanandwedid]

6. If you get those small towns on the Internet, they will slowly start to go liberal. nt