Nightshade
sic semper tyrannis
Premium
join:2002-05-26
Salem, OR
4 edits | reply to needforspeed59
Re: IMHO: BS
I would totally agree but Lafayette is a unique case. The problem is that Bellsouth was not even going to put in any broadband services for the city, despite that they claim Lafayette is in their territory. So because of that Lafayette citizens said fine, where going to have our own broadband services.
If private businesses are not willing to provide services, or can't get it done, and the citizens want said services, then it is within their rights to do it on their own with the help of government if they so desire. But at the same time the government should only be used as a last resort.
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True Happiness Must Come From Within |
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keyboard5684
join:2001-08-01
Youngsville, PA
 ·Teliax VOIP
 ·WestPAnet Inc.
 ·WestPAnet Inc. CA..
| Well, then what about rural America? Are we going to get tax money to provide ANY broadband services to places 4 miles away from any town?
Why is Lafayette any different? Ever been there? I cannot in any way see how they deserve this anymore than any other city in America.
Government money is for something enterprise cannot provide because they will make no profit. This includes roads, police stations, street lights, and other projects that simply provide no return on investment.
The case here is if someone set up broadband, they could make a profit (maybe).
This could go very bad. A long time ago when there was a war going on people cut back on things. Women went to work while men went to war. Now, we are bickering about fiber, taking money from the government, that could be spent elsewhere (maybe hurricane survival or flack jackets!). |
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Nightshade
sic semper tyrannis
Premium
join:2002-05-26
Salem, OR
1 edit | Well they don't deserve it anymore than any other town in rural America and no I never been to Lafayette but that isn't the point. The point is that the people of Lafayette took action and voted it for themselves when private enterprise didn't want provide any broadband and cable services to the town. From what I heard they have been promising for years to do it. Empty promises are just that, empty and worthless.
After a while it gets to the point where if they want it and they won't do it for themselves, then no one else will. It is oblivious that the private sector won't. I am a strong believer in capitalism but where a capitalistic market fails a community, then I see no problem in the community providing any services for themselves if they so desire the service.
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True Happiness Must Come From Within |
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LowRider
join:2006-06-23
Dallas, GA | reply to keyboard5684
this is city money, not Federal money people. there's a difference. Federal money would mean mine and many others who live out of state are funding it, but since its city only those people are funding it. |
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NOCMan
Verizon Fios User
Premium
join:2004-09-30
Flower Mound, TX
| reply to keyboard5684
The people of the city paid through their local taxes. Federal funds did not pay for this.
IMO there is nothing wrong with this setup. In fact I would encourage cities to build all fiber networks and lease access to it so end companies can provide the services.
Outsource maintenance of the network to a company capable of doing it. Then all comers to the market are being charged the same access fees, their equipment has to play with everyone elses.
In the end you end up with standards compliant hardware and probably a better experience for all. Companies will come and go, but in the end they will be forced to compete on their own prices and services without any ability to undercut someone else unless they're willing to give it away for free. |
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BosstonesOwn
join:2002-12-15
Everett, MA
clubs:
·Comcast
| reply to keyboard5684
said by keyboard5684  :Well, then what about rural America? Are we going to get tax money to provide ANY broadband services to places 4 miles away from any town? Why is Lafayette any different? Ever been there? I cannot in any way see how they deserve this anymore than any other city in America. Government money is for something enterprise cannot provide because they will make no profit. This includes roads, police stations, street lights, and other projects that simply provide no return on investment. The case here is if someone set up broadband, they could make a profit (maybe). This could go very bad. A long time ago when there was a war going on people cut back on things. Women went to work while men went to war. Now, we are bickering about fiber, taking money from the government, that could be spent elsewhere (maybe hurricane survival or flack jackets!). Maybe just maybe , its time that the country is run like a business. Where profits should be kept in a reserve so we can lower tax loads or maybe help fund things good for our people.
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"It's always funny until someone gets hurt......and then it's absolutely friggin' hysterical!" |
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morbo
Complete Your Transaction
join:2002-01-22
00000
clubs:
·Charter Pipeline
 ·AT&T Southwest
| reply to keyboard5684
said by keyboard5684 :Why is Lafayette any different? Ever been there? I cannot in any way see how they deserve this anymore than any other city in America. uh, the "deserve this" because the PEOPLE vote for it and are going to pay for it. when there is market failure (in this case, private businesses and corporations failed to provide the services desired by the people of Lafayette) then what do you have against the PEOPLE creating their own solution? |
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