Heard about the internet access riots an Blue Diamond, NV; how about the broadband protests in Hurdland, MO; then surely, the download speed pickets in Oglesby, TX? Neither have I! And with good reason, they did not occur!
Then why do we see a headline in Thursday’s WSJ shouting: “Bigger U.S. Broadband Role Likely?” Seems FCC Chairman Genachowski says the government should address several broadband issues because the U.S. is lagging behind: 1. The high cost of laying new broadband lines in rural areas. 2. The lack of airwaves for wireless access, and. 3. Ill-informed consumers! Oh, and the agency also wants to increase the use of broadband among lower -income people and minorities, who subscribe at lower rates than the general population.
The story goes on to note that cable and telecommunication companies are concerned that the imposition of new rules could impact strategies and profitability. Bet on it. If it were profitable to lay cable in rural areas it would have been done long ago. After all, the cost of a trench and the cable in it is fairly fixed and the population density isn’t all that great in rural areas–that’s why they call them rural! Further, ill-informed consumers are in great part the product of teachers unions like the NEA.
Genachowski is Obama’s basketball buddy and was a major fund raiser in Obama’s campaign handling the internet strategy; the both went to Columbia and were at Harvard Law together. He obviously subscribes to the philosophy of bigger government. Government should have a bigger role in everything. If there is not a problem calling for a government solution, we will invent the problem then come to the fore with the solution which will increase the size of government.
These people are spend and tax control freaks. Whether in the FCC, the EPA, or the NLRB they promote Obama’s statist agenda and compete for the limelight. Well, old Julius Genachowski got his headline Thursday which wasn’t the least bit necessary, urgent or persuasive.
Stay tuned, more will surely come!
Tom Motherway