Where the Candidates Stand – Technically Speaking
Posted on February 5, 2008 By: Mike, VoIP Facts: The Blog email author
Filed Under Net Neutrality
It’s Super Tuesday. Do you know where your candidate stands? While not a pressing issue for most Americans, technological innovation and Net Neutrality (or lack thereof) will shape the way we use the Internet for years to come.
Basically, there are two philosophies in the net neutrality debate: one is a hands off approach, the other proactive. Both can call themselves “neutral”.
Argument A: The Internet is no place for big government. It was built on the innovations of entrepreneurs and has benefited from a free enterprise environment. Regulation stifles development, and companies should be able to choose their own direction and regulate themselves. Market forces will determine who comes out on top, and the Internet will thrive on the competition provided for in a free market place, resulting in more choice for the consumer.
Argument B: Unregulated use of the public airwaves has led to a walled garden approach in the cell phone industry, where mergers and acquisitions have created a handful of conglomerates that control what the consumer can and cannot do on their network. Without regulation, ISPs could determine what the user sees, and what applications they can use. Development and competition would be stifled as partnerships for profits are formed by companies wanting to dominate the industry.
That said, here’s where the politicians stand on Net Neutrality, Science, the IT industry, and other issues concerning technological innovation in general.
The Republicans
John McCain
As a long time member of the Senate Commerce Committee, John McCain has had a hand in the policy making to date. Here are some of his positions.
- Instrumental in getting TV to go digital and give up spectrum for emergency services. Has pushed for and got (beginning in 2009) a nationwide network for public safety
- Supports a permanent Internet tax moratorium, and wants the FTC to focus on fighting spam.
- Concerned about the lack of broadband adoption, and wrote legislation prohibiting states from outlawing municipal broadband projects.
- On Net Neutrality: sees the need for ISPs to make money, but would be concerned if consumer access is blocked.
Mitt Romney
Romney hasn’t said a lot on tech issues, but has focused on making the U.S. more competitive.
- Supports a permanent Internet tax moratorium.
- Promote competitiveness by making schools better and cutting corporate and individual tax rates.
- Improve worker retraining by streamlining federal programs
- Supports increase in H-1B visas to bring high tech workers to do jobs we’re not good at to support our economy
Mike Huckabee
In his campaign, Huckabee has not said much about tech, instead focusing on moral issues
- Supports an increase in visas for highly skilled workers
- Would otherwise shut down U.S. borders to immigration
The Democrats
Hillary Clinton
Like McCain, Clinton’s time in the Senate sheds more light on where she stands on tech issues.
- Hillary’s Innovation Agenda rejects the Bush mixture of politics and science and proposes to upgrade the innovation infrastructure.
- Would increase R&D budgets of the NSF, DoD, and DoE by 50% over 10 years.
- Supports tax incentives for ISPs deploying underserved areas, and federal support for state and local broadband initiatives.
- Would make permanent the research and development tax credit
- Supports Net Neutrality regulations for broadband providers
Barack Obama
As the youngest of the candidates, Obama has used the Internet to catapult him to the forefront. His views on technology and Net Neutrality are clearly stated in a 9 page pdf technology policy statement.
- As a strong supporter of Net Neutrality, he supports regulation of broadband providers that would guarantee open access, i.e. any device/application/content.
- Would make the research and development tax credit permanent, and calls for patent reform.
- Has called for a review of wireless spectrum use, and would revamp and create new programs for the proliferation of broadband access.
- Calls for greater privacy protection, including Internet users, and better parental controls for TV and Internet.
So there it is in a nutshell. While not as pressing an issue as Iraq or the economy, it is still good to know where the candidates stand on technology and the future.
Why Net Neutrality is Important: Packaging Picture
Net neutrality and politics don’t mix
Net neutrality and politics
Source:
NETWORKWORLD.com
Presidential candidates stake out tech positions
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