Seeking Alpha, though they don't support the idea, notes that the possible rebate checks being sent to all Americans to stimulate the economy could instead be used to run fiber-to-the-home broadband connectivity to every household in America. The blog argues that if you're going to get into long-term debt financed spending, at least throw it into "long term productive assets," as opposed to having consumers go blow their checks on sneakers at Walmart.The money would probably upgrade many of the nation's cable networks to DOCSIS 3.0 with money left over for ice cream. Of course government spending on broadband infrastructure isn't necessary, because according to the government, we've already met our broadband goals (we're sure States like Maine, Nebraska, West Virginia, Arkansas and Kentucky were happy to suddenly learn this).