rural

Lauren Forcella, of the Orange County Register, has written a nice article where she asked a panel of millennials about their opinions on the state of humanity and what we face in the next decade. She intends to interview more young people and post their responses soon. I was struck by just how progressive their answers were.

"Let's stop lying and hating each other and instead support each other. World peace starts here." said one student. Another said, simply, "We need more love." There were comments about homophobia, racism, and prejudice in general.

One panelist offered up an opinion on college - how college without vocational and practical training can still leave you without the vital knowledge your new job may require.

Others spoke about the environment, waste, the food industry, and there were several more "let's be nicer" style comments. I agreed with pretty much all of them. It made me wonder...are all millennials this progressive in their views? I thought surely they wouldn't be in my rural hometown.

Today, I asked a few randomly chosen kids at school about their opinions on issues and about the next decade. Several of the answers were really surprising for me.

I noticed that most responded negatively to questions about President Obama...but, still, many didn't have any problem with gay marriage, believed in working with other nations to solve problems, and believed Iraq was a mistake and a mess.

What got to me was that these students agreed with the President on so many issues and yet didn't support him personally. Of course, there were a few areas where they were actually conservative...things like gun control and sportsmanship got strong responses. It seems like they're scared of losing these things that play such huge roles in their lives.

I guess most millenials are progressive, naturally. There are many who don't pay enough attention to politics or public policy to realize it, though. There were only a few people who were truly conservative in their views.

I think next time I'll take a camera with me and throw something together with their responses.

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!