Internetworkers: http://www.ibiblio.org/internetworkers/

["ncgov2000.org" <ids AT idisplay.com>]

> Let's take the money now given to the individual political candidates and 
> to political parties and use it to make sure every home has Internet access
Linda: was this sendup or serious?
It sounds pretty good to me. ...seems like a better way to spend that money.
A meditation surfaces about migration from three/four networks to the 
multitude of cable channels; migration to a www with video (such as it is) 
during the past half decade or so; the remarkable amount of political 
information already on line.
Alas, I don't think this can be legislated. I fear/expect that the 
marketplace will determine the migration from passively received sound 
bites and television spots to actively pursued information.
Though, Campaign Finance Reform, campaign finance alternative, ...nah, this 
can't be legislated. ...stranger things have happened, tho, like the 
exiting system of TV campaign commercials!
Ed Wesolowski
edwes AT ncgov2000.org
919-960-0023 ========================================

From: Linda Watson <linda.watson AT Egarden.com>
To: Eudora::"InterNetWorkers" <internetworkers AT franklin.oit.unc.edu>

Subject: [internetworkers] Commercials to Net Appliances -- a Political 
Date: 9/19/00 11:49 AM

Let's take the money now given to the individual political candidates and 
to political parties and use it to make sure every home has Internet 
access. Instead of using our tax dollars for those hideous commercials, 
ugly road signs, and pointless conventions, we could buy everyone a network 
appliance and a dial-up account. Every government entity would have a 
website showing the election schedules with links to the pages of the 
candidates -- and to pages about the candidates.

The advantages would be:

1) More detailed information on the actual issues involved
2) Wonderful possibilities for tracking the actual behavior of the 
officials, once elected. Imagine a version of the fabulous Lurker's Guide 
to Babylon 5 (http://www.midwinter.com/lurk/lurker.html) for the real saga 
of democracy
3) Reducing corruption in government by decreasing the money needed to run 
a campaign and increasing accountability
4) Most importantly, allowing every household access to the marvelous 
learning and communications opportunities on the Internet

If everyone had access, then more government work could be put online, 
bringing to government some of the cost savings that have increased our 
productivity elsewhere. Heck, we could consider helping to fund this 
program with the savings gained in non-electoral areas. Send my pet-tax 
reminder online, please.

Linda "We Can Save the World" Watson

*********** Egarden.com *********************************************

 trade shows in Saint Louis, because music and barbeque matter
                http://www.egarden.com/jobs.html

*********** the lawn & garden industry's online markeplace  *****


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