Tempe Wi-Fi: Firefighters, police are fans

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This makes a case for . . .

. . . municipal/emergency employees being able to make use of a municipal provided WiFi cloud. Even if the cloud was restricted to just these few, it sounds like the cost would be justified.

However nice it would be to allow all people to access it, that is another case entirely.

If municipalities do want to create open clouds for all citizens to use, they should consider making the cost of their plans *exactly average* the cost of their competitors,or *exactly equal* to the price of their cheapest competitor in order to keep from gaining the unfair advantage that is detrimental to businesses. This would keep the others from being able to artificially inflate their prices and would force them to focus on improved quality instead of simply undercutting the municipality with lower price and poor quality.

However, I am against subisdizing the *poor* while charging others. As great as 'net access is, it is still not a basic human right on par with food, clothing, housing, etc. Thus to receive it free or subisidized, certain conditions should be met:
1. They need to prove they are also too poor for alcohol, cigarettes, lottery tickets, cable or sattelite TV, etc.
2. They need to prove they are working or seeking employment, just as those *rich* people who pay to subsidize the free services work hard and seek employment.
3. They need to demonstrate specific need (such as for work, etc) rather than just cry about how much they would like to send emails and surf instead of work.
4. If accessible, they should also be seeking further education (possibly 'net based) to improve their situation as to no longer need subsidized access.
5. They need to complete financial counseling to, again, help them learn how to live responsibly and no longer be dependent.

Subsidies and welfare are terribly addictive. The state does not need to create any more such programs. Although I am firmly encouraged by municipal WiFi clouds, I do not want to see them as direct competitors to private business or another subsidized burden upon the real working class.

Posted by: lojack_skjeij   Posted on: 06/29/06 You are currently: a Guest | Members login | Terms of Use

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