The FCC has long run an $8 billion federal subsidy program to help bring phone and broadband services to lower income homes and schools called the Universal Service Fund. The historically bipartisan program has long been funded by a fee on traditional phone lines. But with traditional phone lines dying, there’s been a long, ongoing discussion about how to best continue to fund the program.
The program has certainly seen fraud and abuse (much, much improved in more recent years). But it’s also done a mammoth amount of good getting neglected communities connected to the internet. A lot of folks like to singularly focus on the former to support the belief that government is always inherently bad.
The program is definitely in need of reform. Enter Republicans, who aren’t so much interested in how to fix the program, as they are redirecting taxpayer funds to their friends at companies like AT&T. Republicans insist they have the fix: to impose a massive new tax on “woke” tech companies and services (read: you), then give it to telecom giants like AT&T with a long, proud history of subsidy fraud.
“The last time the Supreme Court invoked what is known as the non-delegation doctrine to strike down a federal law was in 1935. But several conservative justices have suggested they are open to breathing new life into the legal doctrine.”
[ + ] Niggly_Puff
[ - ] Niggly_Puff 7 points 4 monthsDec 3, 2024 10:24:06 ago (+7/-0)
[ + ] HonkyMcNiggerSpic
[ - ] HonkyMcNiggerSpic 3 points 4 monthsDec 3, 2024 12:11:44 ago (+3/-0)
[ + ] iSnark
[ - ] iSnark 3 points 4 monthsDec 3, 2024 09:58:14 ago (+3/-0)*
[ + ] jfroybees
[ - ] jfroybees 1 point 4 monthsDec 3, 2024 14:44:40 ago (+1/-0)
[ + ] iSnark
[ - ] iSnark 1 point 4 monthsDec 3, 2024 14:52:04 ago (+1/-0)
[ + ] jfroybees
[ - ] jfroybees 0 points 4 monthsDec 3, 2024 15:01:31 ago (+0/-0)
[ + ] iSnark
[ - ] iSnark 1 point 4 monthsDec 3, 2024 15:09:22 ago (+1/-0)
[ + ] GreenSaint
[ - ] GreenSaint 0 points 4 monthsDec 3, 2024 11:42:24 ago (+1/-1)
[ + ] iSnark
[ - ] iSnark -1 points 4 monthsDec 3, 2024 11:47:47 ago (+0/-1)
[ + ] VitaminSieg
[ - ] VitaminSieg 0 points 4 monthsDec 3, 2024 12:18:26 ago (+0/-0)
[ + ] iSnark
[ - ] iSnark 0 points 4 monthsDec 3, 2024 12:49:32 ago (+0/-0)
[ + ] GreenSaint
[ - ] GreenSaint 0 points 4 monthsDec 3, 2024 18:53:00 ago (+0/-0)
[ + ] RMGoetbbels
[ - ] RMGoetbbels 2 points 4 monthsDec 3, 2024 14:20:55 ago (+2/-0)
Nowhere in the US Constitution does it say build broadband internet so poor kids can watch porn.
It says........hang on a second.........should be Article II, Section 8.....
To establish Post Offices and post Roads
This section is the only part of the Constitution that gives the government any power whatsoever. THIS IS ALL THAT THEY CAN DO.
Do those areas have a post office? Is there a road to the post office?
Okay then, DONE.
[ + ] GodsNotDead
[ - ] GodsNotDead 1 point 4 monthsDec 3, 2024 20:16:24 ago (+1/-0)
[ + ] localsal
[ - ] localsal 1 point 4 monthsDec 3, 2024 19:39:38 ago (+1/-0)
Having to run phone lines to all those areas was totally unprofitable, which is why the government stepped in.
Internet does not seem to be the same level of urgency for most - as almost everyone in the US is covered by cell phone towers.
But the ISPs getting internet out to rural areas is a huge money pit for them.
Since internet is not a life saving technology, I would not support any government intervention in the form of a charge on every other user.
[ + ] SteppingRazor
[ - ] SteppingRazor 1 point 4 monthsDec 3, 2024 16:21:41 ago (+1/-0)
[ + ] jfroybees
[ - ] jfroybees 1 point 4 monthsDec 3, 2024 14:37:35 ago (+1/-0)
This article is opinion in the guise of facts.
[ + ] TheNoticing
[ - ] TheNoticing 1 point 4 monthsDec 3, 2024 12:58:07 ago (+1/-0)
[ + ] FreeinTX
[ - ] FreeinTX 1 point 4 monthsDec 3, 2024 11:48:38 ago (+1/-0)
But he's the "tech" guy.
Total fag.
[ + ] Joe_McCarthy
[ - ] Joe_McCarthy 0 points 4 monthsDec 3, 2024 20:18:27 ago (+0/-0)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Solid_South#:~:text=The%20%22Solid%20South%22%20included%20all,during%20the%20Jim%20Crow%20era.
[ + ] Rob3122
[ - ] Rob3122 0 points 4 monthsDec 3, 2024 15:25:07 ago (+0/-0)