These technologies are widely deployed else where in the world. The US is now a back water for telecommunications. government gets it – the phone companies do not.

I don’t believe in redistribution (I don’t think there is anything I wrote hat would lead you to believe I do), but I do believe that just about every corporation is designed to make profits above EVERYTHING ELSE, and that includes looking out for American workers. Corporations will cut jobs, move plants overseas, take away pensions and insurance – all in the name of better profits for stockholders. (See the movie “The Corporation”)

I guess where we differ is that I don’t believe that ALL government is corrupt, and that if we tell our elected officials what it is that we want, we are more likely to get it.

Part of this plan includes people ACTUALLY VOTING.
The other part of this plan is Americans actually UNDERSTANDING what they are voting for.

I think we are actually a lot closer on this issue than it appears. I feel that the creeping control of government by corporations is our biggest problem.

Energy corporations shouldn’t be allowed to write our government’s energy strategies or have an oil industry lobbyist re-writing environmental memos.

Of course, much of this problem lies with American citizens who are too consumed with American Idol to worry about global warming or a lying incompetent President who says he believes in “small government”, but wants to use every resource to tap your phone and run up GIANT, CRUSHING debts.

Wi-Fi for the People!

I can assure you that Exxon, Enron, GE, Walmart,and Microsoft will not be developing the cutting edge technology that will lead the way in the world of Wi-Fi. When I said entraprenurial I meant, well, entraprenurial. The above listed companies have all used the force of government in order to prevent smaller competitors from gaining a foothold in the market.

Are large corporations corrupt? I would say that any person or entity that uses government force to drive out competitors or rivals or uses government to force the sale of land for his or its benefit is corrupt. That would include every elected politician that has voted in favor of limiting the speech of his challengers in the name of campaign finance reform.

I’m for the seperation of business and state. And if we could find a way to do it, the seperation of politicians and state.

Are you saying that you don’t believe in democratic government?

Personally, I would more often put my trust with elected officials than businesses in the “entrepreneurial free market”.

Exxon, Enron, GE, Wal-Mart, Microsoft, etc…these companies are more trustworthy than our government?

Sure, there is corruption in politics, but many corporations that are driven solely by profits and often do a lot more damage than good.

We are seeing cities of all sizes around the country embrace the idea of low cost access for the masses. Noble idea I’m sure but it looks like redistributionism to me. But from the technical side there is an even bigger problem with this strategy: government invariably gets it wrong.

Here’s how the deal will work if they choose to do it: 1) The City Council will spend 180 days debating it. 2)Bids will then be requested for 180 days based upon a spec that was determined 90 days prior. 3) the bidding process will be extended 180 days because the right minority contractor didn’t put in a competitve enough bid. 4) the council will award the contract to four firms (three minority or woman owned) all with differing ideas as to implimentation. 5) January 1, 2010 the mayor will “flip the switch” and our state of the art (circa 2007) network will be up and running in 20% of the city. The council will pat itself on the back and get back to the real business of the day: granting TIF to developers stepping over themselves to develop urban core properties.

As for me, I’ll continue to use commercial networks running at high speeds built by entrprenural companies seeking profit in the free market (unless we’ve already outlawed that sort of non-collectivist, non-teamplayer activity)

First, I understand the sentiment of “Before we do Wi-Fi, Let’s get more cops, clean up crime, fill potholes, etc…”
Perhaps we can do a little of both.

Because if goverment does nothing but focus resources on the basic services, you will never do anything new, creative or revolutionary. An idea that is characterized as “blowing money” might end up making for a better city, and actually make for a more livable and better community.

My analogy would be like saving money and paying your debts. Most people say they will start saving money as soon as they pay off all their debts, but for many people, it takes years and years to get their debts paid off! So, you start saving BEFORE you pay off your debts, a little at a time so you don’t wait too long.

I think Connect KC might just be an investment plan – it could help make KC a more computer-savvy city that attracts better workers, companies, and might also help school children get smarter too! Of course, I also don’t want them to spend a ridiculous amount on such a plan, either.

You might not agree with this plan, but I think it’s bold and forward-thinking.

Of course, this city has shown in the past that it is neither bold nor forward-thinking (Truman Sports Complex), so I’m sure Mr. Klein is destined to lose – probably to a candidate that panders to the rubes (like talking up a gay marriage amendment or adding the Ten Commandments to all public schools).

* Develop an initial pilot project to establish wireless hubs around targeted schools to expand student, teacher and parental involvement and to bring downtown online
* Build new partnerships to provide affordable wireless access to the Internet from every corner of Kansas City
* Forge new alliances, making affordable computers available so every Kansas Citian will be able to take advantage of the new technologies * (see below)
* Protect for-profit providers with caps on Internet speed, while encouraging competitiveness through a well-managed private sector bidding process
* Empower parents with new safeguards to protect their children
* Generate new for-profit opportunities to expand Kansas City business and bring additional jobs to our community

I must have missed the FREE part. I see ‘affordable’ wireless access but that aint free. Oh and we have to protect the big guys cause god forbid someone come up with an idea that makes their business model unprofitable. Free municipal WIFI is a great idea but it will never happen. Time Warner and AT&T won’t let it. Remember that as you make out your monthly check to them.