I have had a feeling in my gut about all the glowing stories provided by local proponents regarding broadband so I started researching the possible down sides. My first question is— why is the government so interested in all of us having it?
When we are told we should all have access and there are grants (money which the government doesn’t have to begin with, unless they have printed up a new batch today) I become suspicious. They are dangling another huge bureaucratic “carrot” in front of us again and it just makes me wonder what unforeseen future costs are in store for we the taxpayers.
Also, maybe even more important to those interested in our freedoms, what regulations will come down the pike at the whim of the FCC, etc.? I am a firm believer in the free market and downsizing federal government but do not consider myself affiliated with any political party. I choose to call myself a free thinker. If our local government is mirroring what is happening at the federal level, it worries me.
I will mention some of the websites that I looked at to counter the sales pitches that are thrown at us locally: Freedomfoundationofminnesota.com (an article by Tom Steward which also appeared in the March 30, 2010 Minneapolis Star Tribune
Opinion page) and nointernettakeover.com.
I will continue to look for more information and challenge the county commissioners to maybe talk to people in the cities of Provo, Utah; Burlington, Vermont; and Monticello, Minnesota. These cities have already had experiences with broadband both good and not so good.
Also, ask yourself some questions: why is broadband being pushed at us like it is another right and why did one of our commissioners run down to the state capitol to try to get the two-thirds vote lowered?
You can tell what my vote will be next time on this subject!
Bonnie Klein
Grand Marais
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