Ironically, according to a study by the Information Technology Association of America (ITAA) entitled Race to the Horizon -- "U.S. leadership in high technology faces challenges domestically and abroad. This pressure comes from global competitors who share America�s appreciation for the economic, political and social benefits of high tech; and from domestic legislators who would subject parts of the IT industry to burdensome regulation or discriminatory taxation. Foreign nations are willing and able to do what it takes to race ahead of today�s market incumbents and our own lawmakers seem to always rationalize the need for further control � despite the negative impacts this control would have on the industry. Over the next four years the next Administration, the Congress and the states will play a critical role in determining whether the U.S. retains its lead or, through lack of clear vision and halting public policy resolve, allows itself to slip into also ran status."
Try to imagine this scenario, that General Motors and Ford were given exclusive franchises to build America's interstate highway system, and also all the highways that connect local communities. Now imagine that, based upon a financial crisis, these troubled companies decided to convert all "their" local arteries into toll-roads -- they then use incremental toll fees to severely limit all travel to and from small businesses. Why? This handicapping process reduced the need to invest in building better new roads, or repairing the dilapidated ones. But, wouldn't that short-sighted decision have a detrimental impact on the overall national economy? It's a moot point -- pure fantasy -- you say. The U.S. political leadership would never knowingly risk the nation's social and economic future on the financial viability of a restrictive duopoly. Or, would they? The 21st century Global Networked Economy travels across essential broadband infrastructure. The forced intro...