Posted on 03/09/2016 12:15:15 PM PST by reaganaut1
WASHINGTON — President Obama, backing a plan to connect low-income families to more affordable broadband services, on Wednesday set a goal to get 20 million people subscribed to high-speed Internet by 2020.
In a Facebook post, Mr. Obama said a lack of broadband at home took a particularly harsh toll on students caught in a “homework gap,” unable to complete school assignments because the work requires access to the web.
“All of America’s students should be able to get online, no matter where they live or how much their parents make,” Mr. Obama wrote. “We’re calling this effort ConnectAll — and it’s not just good for students, it’s good for folks looking for jobs or workers hoping to learn new skills.”
The White House also released a report outlining the economic effects of broadband adoption, focused on how families without broadband at home are at a disadvantage in finding jobs. Job seekers who search online find employment 25 percent faster than those who use traditional methods like newspaper classifieds, according to a report released by the Council of Economic Advisers.
The announcement underscores the government’s view of high-speed Internet as a utility that should be regulated like water and power and should be extended to all residents. The White House has pushed for more affordable broadband with its ConnectHome initiative, announced last July, to put affordable broadband services in public housing. Mr. Obama in late 2014 urged the Federal Communications Commission to classify broadband services as utilities, a view fiercely opposed by telecom service providers.
The White House on Wednesday also said it would support the F.C.C.’s proposal to reform its Lifeline phone program. That effort, announced earlier this week, will give low-income homes a $9.25 monthly subsidy for wireless and fixed broadband services.
(Excerpt) Read more at nytimes.com ...
poe folk gotta facebook too.
What good is free high speed internet without a free laptop? What good is a free laptop with free high speed internet without a free printer? What good is a free printer without free paper and ink?
In Rochester NY, my hometown, the graduation rate is about 40%. Now, do you want to know the demographics?
Hummmm, if they are subscribers, they already have broadband.
Stand by for taxes on your broadband to go up ....
Millions on welfare depend on you.
So Obama, are you paying for this?
Says who? Maybe the schools should hand out assignments that DON'T require internet access. Or maybe the gimmedats could get off their asses long enough to go to a library and do their homework, in between Facebooking and looking at porn.
How is it the federal government's responsibility -- or right -- to make sure po' foke have internet access?
Great! They can surf the internet for jobs that don’t exist or are a waste of time, too!!!
More than a handout...a control play:
“The announcement underscores the government’s view of high-speed Internet as a utility that should be regulated like water and power”
First government makes it ‘essential’
Then they make it ‘pure’
“Computers For Criminals” program.
Standard or moderate speed Internet connections should be dirt cheap for anyone who wants it. Some of what these carriers are charging is just obscene.
Why don’t you hit up Hillary Clinton, the champion fighting for Free Stuff for The Poor, Obama? She has more money than God, and she definitely hasn’t given till it hurts.
“In Rochester NY, my hometown, the graduation rate is about 40%. Now, do you want to know the demographics? “
Is it like Rochester Jack Benny’s assistant?
Well, if broadband is now a Constitutional right what about a computer? Need a laptop to exercise my rights!
So now High Speed Internet is a necessity of life according to the usurper in chief? Heaven forbid they go to a library and use a public wifi.
Before long, if not already, it will be simpler to list the things that the “poor” pay for out of their own pockets instead of what they get at no cost thanks to confiscation from the earnings of others.
Need to coordinate flash mobs
They can.
It's called a library - a place I spent many an hour.
Today's delinquents should try it.
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