NOW - Debating High Speed Internet Access

I don’t know how many people had the time to watch NOW with David Brancaccio on PBS but the “debate” over local municipalities providing high-speed wireless broadband. But, once again, Republicans were quick to line up behind companies that spend millions on lobbying efforts to assure that nobody can compete for service. Several states have drafted bills to make sure that connectivity is a “privilege and not a right” despite the fact that it is the backbone of the free press, education and business. This is coming from an industry that is heavily subsidized by Federal and local tax dollars. Under this new legislation small town America, once forced to provide their own access, is now being forced to dismantle the networks they’ve created. Are we going to let one of the most affordable and important tools of our generation be controlled like TV and radio monopolies? Think about it.