Nation-wide Broadband Access

President Barack Obama has just signed the $317.2 billion economic stimulus bill into law, saying that “it is the beginning of the end” of our harsh economic times. Part of this bill includes $7.2 billion that will be spent on a “broadband grant and loans program” which will ensure that all Americans have broadband access to what has recently become a vital resource for communication and education in modern America. 65.3% ($4.7 billion) will be used for Commerce Department run programs, while the rest of the funds will be used for programs run by the Agriculture Department. This obviously means that there is more of an emphasis on rural America getting broadband access.

Those Americans that live in areas where there is limited or no broadband options will greatly benefit from this stimulus package. However, they are not the only beneficiaries. The bill will also create jobs in the areas that it serves. Ethernet cable manufacturers will be getting much larger orders from Internet Service Providers (ISPs) and cable companies. These ISPs and companies will then need to send qualified employees out to run their cables to the customers that they serve. They will also need more sales representitives to get people to purchase the new service. That is just a few of the jobs that will be create by this legislation.

As for when this will all be done, President Obama wants these funds to be distributed by September 30, 2010 to projects that can be completed within a couple years. This means that by the end of his first term, at least 85% of Americans, if not more, should have broadband internet access. If all goes well, the bill may also make dial-up access obsolete. Here’s hoping!

President Barack Obama promised us that there is hope for America, and that change will come. I think that this bill is the initial delivery of that change.

For more information: http://news.cnet.com/8301-13578_3-10165726-38.html

Election 08: Where We Stand

As you can see in the above charts, many American voters are finally coming to their senses and seeing their world as it is. They now realize that it is the GOP who is to blame for our current economic crisis, and that Barack Obama would have better judgement during these shaky times. While things may be looking good for the Democrats right now, this is an election where the tides could turn at any moment. All voters should keep in mind the fact that during times like these, we need a President with a strong economic background. That person is Barack Obama. Anyone who believes that McCain will do anything but worsen our economy is dead wrong. As you’ll see in the folowing video, McCain admits that he is not an expert on the economy.

With this in mind, the 2008 Presidential Election comes down to just one major decision. Do we want to elect a President who has the knowledge and skills to revive our ailing economy? Or do we want to elect a President who will continue funding war after war? That is our decision America. I seriously hope we make the right choice.