FCC proposes large public WiFi networks

[nathanm]

Take private industry out of the equation, and you will retard innovation, and ultimately make access less affordable and highly regulated.

That's funny. The highest speed networks in the country are almost all run/sponsored by by local governments. This is because duopolies are no better than monopolies which are no better than government running the damn thing in the first place. Only with real competition does the market actually work like Gaspar wishes it would. Your cable bill should be proof enough that there is no real competition among the folks who string wire to your house.

Of course, when the government tried to increase competitive forces by requiring that wire owners lease said wire to other companies it was decided that was also decided by right wingers to be an awful and anticompetitive thing. And then, during the Bush administration it was decided that despite the law continuing to require that arrangement that the law could be ignored.

Also, you get all kinds of stuff at no charge that is worth something. Usually paid for by ads or as part of a marketing promotion. Go figure, dollars don't equal value after all.

[Gaspar]

Also, you get all kinds of stuff at no charge that is worth something. Usually paid for by ads or as part of a marketing promotion. Go figure, dollars don't equal value after all.

That is not something for nothing.  You as a consumer represent the value being given for said good or service, and that good or service is paid for based on the provider's ability to target the appropriate audience to sell their product.  As the consumer, you are not getting anything for free, you are receiving something in exchange for your exposure to the advertising.  Value is exchanged voluntarily.  If you don't want to be subject to the advertising, you may choose not to use the service offered.

When the government provides a good or service for "free", they do it through force, and without the risk of competitive pressure.  The consumer of the good or service may feel like they are getting something for "free," however that good or service has value, and that value must come from somewhere.  In the example of public internet networks, you would have equipment, electricity, human capital and a bureaucracy to fund.  Since there is no voluntary exchange of value from consumer for the service, that value must be extracted by force through taxation and the threat of imprisonment.



Whenever we depart from voluntary cooperation and try to do good by using force, the bad moral value of force triumphs over good intentions. – Milton Friedman

Government is not reason; it is not eloquence; it is force. Like fire, it is a dangerous servant and a fearful master. – George Washington

[nathanm]

Perhaps you want to do a little more research into what the actual proposal is before going off on another libertarian rant. I would expect that you would be in favor of more unlicensed spectrum. Oh, wait, Obama is still President. Good to know your reflexes are still working.