Internet Access

The greater the number of people who have Internet access, the better off our country is. That was one of Ross Perot’s main themes during the 1992 presidential election.

All over the country, local governments, schools and community groups are offering inexpensive Internet service. Everybody wins — as conservatives like to say, a rising tide lifts all boats.

Here is a map of community Internet projects all across the country. If you don’t want to pay the exorbitant prices of the cable conglomerates, or if you live outside their range, these community projects are a Godsend.

Of course there are a few people who disagree with this idea, namely the major cable and broadband executives. So far they’ve bribed fourteen states into passing laws to prohibit communities from setting up low-cost Internet access.

Now, there’s a bipartisan Senate bill to rescue community Internet service. The Community Broadband Act, S 1294, has been introduced by Frank Lautenberg (D-New Jersey) and John McCain. This bill would amend the 1996 Telecommunications Act to “preserve and protect the ability of local governments to provide broadband capability and services.”

Given the slutty behavior of most senators when confronted by corporate lobbyists waving sacks of money, this bill faces an uphill battle. You can help. Please call your senators and ask them to co-sponsor the Community Broadband Act.

Our economy, our society, can’t afford to have Internet access unavailable to millions of Americans.