Friday, July 5, 2013

Would Republicans really soak taxpayers for over twice the price for Broadband Service to Schools and Libraries??? Yes if it benefits the Telecom Industry!

Let's be honest, "We're looking out for the taxpayer" is an overdone, meaningless robotic response made by Republicans. In fact, the next time they say it, hold onto your wallet and run the other way.

And keep asking the question: Would you care if the private sector is put at a disadvantage competing against the government, if as a taxpayer, your costs are cut by over half?

If you answered yes, than saving lots of money is not as important as your belief system, or “princibles,” as Rep. John Boehner would say.

We’re talking about a requirement in Walker’s first budget that forced the UW to drop broadband provider WiscNet, who also serves schools, cities and libraries across the state at an amazingly low price.
Leader-Telegram: John LeBrun, technology director for the city of Eau Claire, said WiscNet has allowed local institutions such as the city and UW-Eau Claire to share important data and work together.

Republican lawmakers who pushed for the provision contended the partnership placed private telecommunications providers at an unfair disadvantage.
Keep asking the question: Would you care if the private sector is put at a disadvantage competing against the government, if as a taxpayer, your costs are cut by over half?

Just the facts:
Democrats said WiscNet has saved taxpayers a lot of money … A 2012 report by the Legislative Audit Bureau found the cooperative's members paid on average $500 a month for Internet services while a private provider would have charged nearly $1,200 for the same services.

I’m also hoping Republican politicians are uber-conservatives, who don’t have as much in common as their reliable voting base, because we need their help in kicking these guys out of office. 

3 comments:

  1. A couple of salient points: 1) WiscNet is a NON-PROFIT organization, hence their competitive advantage over FOR-PROFIT companies; 2) WiscNet exists partially BECAUSE the for-profit telecoms did not want to serve areas of the state that weren't economically profitable.

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  2. Like GOPs are ever actually about saving taxpayer money. HAH! They're nothing more than money-funnelers sending government cash to their corporate contributors, and they get a nice kickback for their campaigns as a result.

    This WiscNet deal has zero to do with good governance or taxpayer stewardship, and everything to do with GETTING THEIR BOYS PAID.

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  3. Thanks for mentioning those two important points again. I've beaten them into the ground in previous posts on WiscNet, but it's still very relevant to this story.

    Jake, I keep hoping voters will wake up. Because of gerrymandering, it's our only hope...

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