Only for the Plugged-In

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Unfortunately, everything these days seems to be framed around politics and ideology, red or blue, left or right, R or D.   Some so-called pundits have already figured out the next wave of political fortunes — just based on the elections this week in New York, Virginia, and New Jersey – and what that will mean to proposed policies and ideas.

Changing lives and creating hope, and embracing the full power of broadband access, should not be hijacked by politics. It is a goal that transcends partisanship.  I was reminded of that this week, thanks to a column in the Houston Chronicle.   David Cohen of Comcast and Rey Ramsey of One Economy Corp. point out that only 63 percent of Americans subscribe to broadband at home.  “Recent studies show that a staggering number of senior citizens, minorities, disabled and non-English speakers are unconnected. Broadband can improve our health care, our education, our productivity and make us all more connected — but that’s only for the plugged-in,” they write.

I encourage you to read the column and see how broadband has changed lives in Detroit and Houston, and even the last paragraph has a lesson we need more than ever.  “This, we think, is the secret to promoting broadband adoption — showing the unconnected just how dramatically broadband can change their lives, both professionally and personally. And that’s a goal behind which Democrats, Republicans and independents can rally.”

http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/editorial/outlook/6701785.html