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Comcast PANICS: Minnesota Rolls Out Free High-Speed Internet Funded by Taxing the Ric

Anomalism

Anomalism

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Comcast PANICS: Minnesota Rolls Out Free High-Speed Internet Funded by Taxing the Rich

Minnesota, once a state drowning in debt, is now being forced to deal with a new problem: how to spend their projected $1.9 billion budget surplus. The extra $1.9 billion is likely to be allocated toward early childhood education and providing high-speed internet to Minnesota residents, according to the West Central Tribune. Governor Mark Dayton, of Minnesota’s Democrat-Farm Labor Party, ran for office on a call to implement broadband internet “border-to-border” and has called for a $100 million infusion of funds, in conjunction with private investment, to build the initial infrastructure. While the total estimated cost to complete the job is $3.2 billion, Gov. Dayton has plenty of money to work with — the surplus is more than double what the state legislature had on hand by the end of this year’s legislative session in June.
 
Re: Comcast PANICS: Minnesota Rolls Out Free High-Speed Internet Funded by Taxing the

Anomalism said:
Comcast PANICS: Minnesota Rolls Out Free High-Speed Internet Funded by Taxing the Rich

Minnesota, once a state drowning in debt, is now being forced to deal with a new problem: how to spend their projected $1.9 billion budget surplus. The extra $1.9 billion is likely to be allocated toward early childhood education and providing high-speed internet to Minnesota residents, according to the West Central Tribune. Governor Mark Dayton, of Minnesota’s Democrat-Farm Labor Party, ran for office on a call to implement broadband internet “border-to-border” and has called for a $100 million infusion of funds, in conjunction with private investment, to build the initial infrastructure. While the total estimated cost to complete the job is $3.2 billion, Gov. Dayton has plenty of money to work with — the surplus is more than double what the state legislature had on hand by the end of this year’s legislative session in June.
Click to expand...

Yeah, because heaven forbid they return it to the people. :roll:
 
Re: Comcast PANICS: Minnesota Rolls Out Free High-Speed Internet Funded by Taxing the

Anomalism said:
Comcast PANICS: Minnesota Rolls Out Free High-Speed Internet Funded by Taxing the Rich

Minnesota, once a state drowning in debt, is now being forced to deal with a new problem: how to spend their projected $1.9 billion budget surplus. The extra $1.9 billion is likely to be allocated toward early childhood education and providing high-speed internet to Minnesota residents, according to the West Central Tribune. Governor Mark Dayton, of Minnesota’s Democrat-Farm Labor Party, ran for office on a call to implement broadband internet “border-to-border” and has called for a $100 million infusion of funds, in conjunction with private investment, to build the initial infrastructure. While the total estimated cost to complete the job is $3.2 billion, Gov. Dayton has plenty of money to work with — the surplus is more than double what the state legislature had on hand by the end of this year’s legislative session in June.
Click to expand...

Perhaps the good governor could have better spent it here:

State of Minnesota Debt Clock
 
Re: Comcast PANICS: Minnesota Rolls Out Free High-Speed Internet Funded by Taxing the

An almost $2 Billion budget surplus is a great "problem" to have, they should dump the majority of that into education and infrastructure.
 
Re: Comcast PANICS: Minnesota Rolls Out Free High-Speed Internet Funded by Taxing the

countryboy said:
Yeah, because heaven forbid they return it to the people. :roll:
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Yes, because heaven forbid we invest it into our crumbling infrastructure or improving our abysmal education system.
 
Re: Comcast PANICS: Minnesota Rolls Out Free High-Speed Internet Funded by Taxing the

OrphanSlug said:
An almost $2 Billion budget surplus is a great "problem" to have, they should dump the majority of that into education and infrastructure.
Click to expand...

In a normal state with that sort of surplus, those items should have already been addressed. Otherwise you really don't have a surplus.
 
Re: Comcast PANICS: Minnesota Rolls Out Free High-Speed Internet Funded by Taxing the

RabidAlpaca said:
Yes, because heaven forbid we invest it into our crumbling infrastructure or improving our abysmal education system.
Click to expand...

Except, that never really happens. Most of the funds evaporate into thin air, leaving behind a crumbling infrastructure, and an abysmal educational system.
 
Re: Comcast PANICS: Minnesota Rolls Out Free High-Speed Internet Funded by Taxing the

countryboy said:
Except, that never really happens. Most of the funds evaporate into thin air, leaving behind a crumbling infrastructure, and an abysmal educational system.
Click to expand...

Then let's cut off all funds to infrastructure and education and let the damn takers learn to survive for themselves, right?
 
Re: Comcast PANICS: Minnesota Rolls Out Free High-Speed Internet Funded by Taxing the

RabidAlpaca said:
Then let's cut off all funds to infrastructure and education and let the damn takers learn to survive for themselves, right?
Click to expand...

How about we stop the waste, fraud, and abuse in government?
 
Re: Comcast PANICS: Minnesota Rolls Out Free High-Speed Internet Funded by Taxing the

countryboy said:
Except, that never really happens. Most of the funds evaporate into thin air, leaving behind a crumbling infrastructure, and an abysmal educational system.
Click to expand...

Some facts would be worth a thousand accusations... Oklahoma has terrible bridge overpass troubles- it took several tragedies, and almost routine accidents on the I44-I40 interchange-FINALLY we are spending money to repair/replace the dangerous structures. The Educational Secretary ran as a Conservative reformer and turned around and tried repeatedly asked for increased teacher's pay- to be snubbed by the Conservative legislature.

The funds don't 'evaporate'- look a bit closer at the legislatures and see where they really went. Time for the Conservatives to quit talking crap and get serious about good governance.... :peace
 
Re: Comcast PANICS: Minnesota Rolls Out Free High-Speed Internet Funded by Taxing the

notquiteright said:
Some facts would be worth a thousand accusations... Oklahoma has terrible bridge overpass troubles- it took several tragedies, and almost routine accidents on the I44-I40 interchange-FINALLY we are spending money to repair/replace the dangerous structures. The Educational Secretary ran as a Conservative reformer and turned around and tried repeatedly asked for increased teacher's pay- to be snubbed by the Conservative legislature.

The funds don't 'evaporate'- look a bit closer at the legislatures and see where they really went. Time for the Conservatives to quit talking crap and get serious about good governance.... :peace
Click to expand...
Umm, we're talking about Minnesota here.

BTW, what is Minnesota doing with their exorbitantly high gas tax? Minn. Senate OKs gas tax hike for roads, bridges - StarTribune.com
 
Re: Comcast PANICS: Minnesota Rolls Out Free High-Speed Internet Funded by Taxing the

Anomalism said:
Comcast PANICS: Minnesota Rolls Out Free High-Speed Internet Funded by Taxing the Rich

Minnesota, once a state drowning in debt, is now being forced to deal with a new problem: how to spend their projected $1.9 billion budget surplus. The extra $1.9 billion is likely to be allocated toward early childhood education and providing high-speed internet to Minnesota residents, according to the West Central Tribune. Governor Mark Dayton, of Minnesota’s Democrat-Farm Labor Party, ran for office on a call to implement broadband internet “border-to-border” and has called for a $100 million infusion of funds, in conjunction with private investment, to build the initial infrastructure. While the total estimated cost to complete the job is $3.2 billion, Gov. Dayton has plenty of money to work with — the surplus is more than double what the state legislature had on hand by the end of this year’s legislative session in June.
Click to expand...

So, 100 million in public funds, along with private investment, to have high speed internet throughout the state of Minnesota. Divided among the population of just over five million, that works out to about 20 bucks each.

I wonder if that 20 bucks is per year, per month, or what? Even if it's per month, it would be a bargain compared to the cost of high speed internet.
 
Re: Comcast PANICS: Minnesota Rolls Out Free High-Speed Internet Funded by Taxing the

Anomalism said:
Comcast PANICS: Minnesota Rolls Out Free High-Speed Internet Funded by Taxing the Rich

Minnesota, once a state drowning in debt, is now being forced to deal with a new problem: how to spend their projected $1.9 billion budget surplus. The extra $1.9 billion is likely to be allocated toward early childhood education and providing high-speed internet to Minnesota residents, according to the West Central Tribune. Governor Mark Dayton, of Minnesota’s Democrat-Farm Labor Party, ran for office on a call to implement broadband internet “border-to-border” and has called for a $100 million infusion of funds, in conjunction with private investment, to build the initial infrastructure. While the total estimated cost to complete the job is $3.2 billion, Gov. Dayton has plenty of money to work with — the surplus is more than double what the state legislature had on hand by the end of this year’s legislative session in June.
Click to expand...

How is it free, if its funded by taxes? Also, the rich are leaving Minesota. What happens when they do?

While people move for all sorts of reasons, a closer
look at this data strongly suggests that state tax
policies are influencing movement to and from
Minnesota. The implications for current proposals
to raise Minnesota tax rates is clear: Higher taxes
will likely lead to even more wealth moving to
other states.

http://mn.gov/admin/images/mn-on-the-move-migration-report-msdc-jan2015.pdf
Click to expand...
 
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Re: Comcast PANICS: Minnesota Rolls Out Free High-Speed Internet Funded by Taxing the

jonny5 said:
How is it free, if its funded by taxes?
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The same way roads and schools are "free".

Ain't nothing free.

Nope, not even air. If we want it to be breathable, we must pay to keep it clean.

But, some things are best paid for collectively.
 
Re: Comcast PANICS: Minnesota Rolls Out Free High-Speed Internet Funded by Taxing the

Dittohead not! said:
The same way roads and schools are "free".

Ain't nothing free.

Nope, not even air. If we want it to be breathable, we must pay to keep it clean.

But, some things are best paid for collectively.
Click to expand...

Just not the internet, which has been almost entirely privately funded. The internet that Minnesota currently has was almost entirely built by the media corporations. I do agree that Comcast has reason to panic though. They cant force people to pay for their service, like the govt can.
 
Re: Comcast PANICS: Minnesota Rolls Out Free High-Speed Internet Funded by Taxing the

jonny5 said:
Just not the internet, which has been almost entirely privately funded. The internet that Minnesota currently has was almost entirely built by the media corporations. I do agree that Comcast has reason to panic though. They cant force people to pay for their service, like the govt can.
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No, but they can enjoy a great monopoly. They do here.
 
Re: Comcast PANICS: Minnesota Rolls Out Free High-Speed Internet Funded by Taxing the

jimbo said:
Perhaps the good governor could have better spent it here:

State of Minnesota Debt Clock
Click to expand...

Not necessarily. Sometimes it wiser to keep making the payments. It is better for the bondholders, so they have more money which is good for the economy in the long run.
 
Re: Comcast PANICS: Minnesota Rolls Out Free High-Speed Internet Funded by Taxing the

countryboy said:
How about we stop the waste, fraud, and abuse in government?
Click to expand...

You probably couldn't even find Minnesota on a map, but you're going to tell us what's good for our state?

The internet is a pretty big part of the economy these days (maybe you haven't noticed) so better access is better for the small businesses that are not in the Twin Cities. That's what the idea of expanding the access is about is developing those businesses.

Maybe you aren't pro-business.
 
Re: Comcast PANICS: Minnesota Rolls Out Free High-Speed Internet Funded by Taxing the

jonny5 said:
Just not the internet, which has been almost entirely privately funded. The internet that Minnesota currently has was almost entirely built by the media corporations. I do agree that Comcast has reason to panic though. They cant force people to pay for their service, like the govt can.
Click to expand...

They're not taking over the whole internet. In fact, the ISPs will still get plenty of money. This investment is putting the infrastructure in place for them.

Kind of like how the Interstates didn't mean Eisenhower nationalized the trucking industry or oil companies.
 
Re: Comcast PANICS: Minnesota Rolls Out Free High-Speed Internet Funded by Taxing the

rocket88 said:
You probably couldn't even find Minnesota on a map, but you're going to tell us what's good for our state?

The internet is a pretty big part of the economy these days (maybe you haven't noticed) so better access is better for the small businesses that are not in the Twin Cities. That's what the idea of expanding the access is about is developing those businesses.

Maybe you aren't pro-business.
Click to expand...

Why would you think I couldn't find Minnesota on a map? I'm not a lib.
 
Re: Comcast PANICS: Minnesota Rolls Out Free High-Speed Internet Funded by Taxing the

rocket88 said:
Not necessarily. Sometimes it wiser to keep making the payments. It is better for the bondholders, so they have more money which is good for the economy in the long run.
Click to expand...

Libroeconomics?

The most dangerous person in the world is a politician standing next to a big pile of money.
 
Re: Comcast PANICS: Minnesota Rolls Out Free High-Speed Internet Funded by Taxing the

Dittohead not! said:
No, but they can enjoy a great monopoly. They do here.
Click to expand...

Only by consumer choice. But of course, they dont have a monopoly. Only 56% market share.
 
Re: Comcast PANICS: Minnesota Rolls Out Free High-Speed Internet Funded by Taxing the

rocket88 said:
They're not taking over the whole internet. In fact, the ISPs will still get plenty of money. This investment is putting the infrastructure in place for them.

Kind of like how the Interstates didn't mean Eisenhower nationalized the trucking industry or oil companies.
Click to expand...

The internet IS infrastructure. Cables and switches. Comcast has spent billions to put them in the ground. Now the govt is going to take billions more from citizens, and end up doing a worse job at a higher cost, just like the interstates.
 
Re: Comcast PANICS: Minnesota Rolls Out Free High-Speed Internet Funded by Taxing the

jonny5 said:
Only by consumer choice. But of course, they dont have a monopoly. Only 56% market share.
Click to expand...

Here in our little town, there is no alternative. If you have internet that works, you have Comcast.
 
Re: Comcast PANICS: Minnesota Rolls Out Free High-Speed Internet Funded by Taxing the

Anomalism said:
Comcast PANICS: Minnesota Rolls Out Free High-Speed Internet Funded by Taxing the Rich

Minnesota, once a state drowning in debt, is now being forced to deal with a new problem: how to spend their projected $1.9 billion budget surplus. The extra $1.9 billion is likely to be allocated toward early childhood education and providing high-speed internet to Minnesota residents, according to the West Central Tribune. Governor Mark Dayton, of Minnesota’s Democrat-Farm Labor Party, ran for office on a call to implement broadband internet “border-to-border” and has called for a $100 million infusion of funds, in conjunction with private investment, to build the initial infrastructure. While the total estimated cost to complete the job is $3.2 billion, Gov. Dayton has plenty of money to work with — the surplus is more than double what the state legislature had on hand by the end of this year’s legislative session in June.
Click to expand...


That's what is being done in Europe..............plus the get better service and lightning fast internet ..............why one country made access to the internet a human right.......

When it comes to cable companies...........I say............do it to them as we did to Ma Bell..............
 
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