Posted on 08/15/2008 7:17:55 PM PDT by 2ndDivisionVet
Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) would emphasize public-private research and development grants to encourage the government's application of technology and establish a nationwide public safety network for first responders by the end of his first term, the presumptive Republican presidential nominee has said. In general, McCain would also make more government information available online.
McCain announced his government information technology plans as part of his overall technology platform that was published on his campaign’s Web site Aug. 14. In addition to encouraging the government’s use of IT, much of the platform focuses on the premise that with lower taxes, freer trade, less government regulation and improved intellectual property rights, technology entrepreneurs will increase prosperity.
McCain “is committed to streamlining burdensome regulations and effectively protecting American intellectual property in the United States and around the globe,” the technology policy outline posted on the candidate’s Web site reads.
Specifically, McCain would lower the corporate tax rate, make research and development tax credits permanent, oppose new state and local taxes on wireless services, and support low capital gains taxes.
He also proposed to expand high-speed Internet access and make science and technology experience a priority for the federal workforce.
The policy statement also points to McCain’s technology experience, which includes service as chairman of the Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee, as a way to shore up his technology credentials. McCain frequently has been characterized as being less technology savvy than his Democratic rival Sen. Barack Obama (D-Ill.), and McCain has conceded that his use of PCs has been limited.
Obama made headlines in November when he released his technology platform at Google's headquarters. He called for the appointment of the government’s first chief technology officer, which would focus of improving transparency and technological interoperability. Obama’s platform also supports regulations to ensure net neutrality, while McCain’s does not.
Ari Schwartz, the vice president and chief operating officer of the Center for Democracy and Technology, said both candidates have a history of strong records on e-government policy initiatives.
The center has published a series of recommendations for technology issues on which the next president should focus.
“Looking forward, we are looking for a president who is willing to embrace new technology,” he said today. Wikis, blogs and social networking technologies "could do so much to enhance both the transparency of government information and [people's] involvement with the government.”
McCain’s Technolgy Plan:
http://www.johnmccain.com/Informing/Issues/CBCD3A48-4B0E-4864-8BE1-D04561C132EA.htm
You can’t legislate technological progress, but you can certainly get government off the back of the innovators.
I’m not sure I like the government using technology. A slow, ineffective government is a better government as far as I’m concerned.
Give the federal government employees(especially the IRS) stone tablets to chisel on, and make them work by candlelight without phones.
Yeah, my thoughts exactly. Just reduce taxes and call it good. Government picking winners and losers, isn’t that what the old Soviet system tried to do.
Why do I fear the words “Net Neutrality” and why do we a national Chief Technology Officer???
Will McCain or Obama be the first to propose that Internet service providers (e.g. AT&T, Verizon, Comcast) deliver email and web home page portability (much like cell phone providers currently give phone number portability when you switch companies)?
“He called for the appointment of the government’s first chief technology officer, which would focus of improving transparency and technological interoperability.”
Transparency? Methinks he doth protest too much.
Interoperability??? one of my college degrees was English - but puleeeeeeezzzz.
And I agree with a previous poster - WTH do we need with yet another new government post - Chief Technology Officer.
“One Ipod Per Child”...
If you re-read the article, this was OBAMA’s proposal about appointing a “chief technology officer, ...transparancy”... - not McCain’s.
Toward the end, it outlines BHO’s blathers about what HE plans to do.
While you're certainly correct that it's just 'Big Government' gone wild, that was Obamba who dunnit! Here's hoping McCain has enough common sense to NOT get on a 'my government is bigger than your government' kick! That would certainly 'Dole' him fewer votes!
Is this going to be called the Technology Empowerment Agency (TEA)? Sounds weak. :)
again, I hope you saw my reply to you last night, that this is Obama’s proposal, NOT, McCain’s.
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