Socialist Government Run Broadband

Finland has made High Speed Internet access a legal right, right up there with the Freedom of Speech or the Freedom of Assembly. Their Transport and Communications Ministry says that all of the nation's citizens will have access to 1-megabit (per second) connections by July, 2010.

This story just gets better and better because the Ministry has also said that this is just a first step towards even more broadband Internet requirements. They're aiming for 100-megabit connections for everyone by 2015!

We've seen French Courts, the United Nations, and various other groups push for access to the Internet for all, especially in rural areas where the cost of installing the equipment necessary (and the relatively small consumer-base) keeps companies from investing in providing broadband service. This is an issue I've faced in rural Oklahoma - indeed all rural America. Broadband service came to my area only 6 years ago.

I'm excited to see what sort of investments in broadband technology (especially for rural areas) will be made in the US over the next few years...the stimulus package already devoted $7.2 billion to the cause, although the FCC says a good plan to expand coverage would cost around $350 billion.

Broadband access is especially important for youth...as a Junior in High School, I can think of a lot of daily tasks that wouldn't be possible or wouldn't be nearly as easy without it.

• My College Classes, college enrollment, FASFA, Research, etc.
• Job Applications and Testing
• ACT Registration and Practice
• Banking and billing
• Communication
• etc.

Internet access expands educational and career opportunities. Simple as that. Today, it's nearly impossible for a young person to live an average life without access to the web. It's just part of society...and rural Americans who are missing out deserve the same access everyone else has. It's a basic necessity:

"We think it's something you cannot live without in modern society. Like banking services or water or electricity, you need an Internet connection," - Spokesperson for Finland's Transport and Communications Ministry

I really can't wait to see broadband Internet access expand in Rural America.

I'm also ready for the fight that is sure to come. Because Government Broadband, like Health Care, is Socialism!