Net Profit

While one of the primary reasons for the internet proposal is to save money, start-up costs should be anticipated. I noted yesterday that satellites and nationwide transmission towers would be required, though to a great degree the government could use existing facilities to lower the costs.ⁱ But we shouldn't gloss over the likelihood that it will be expensive at the beginning. All entrepreneurs already know this, though. However great the ultimate profits, getting started can be expensive.ⁱⁱ

Another notable starting cost will be the computers. Since, in the twenty-first century and beyond, our government is to be based on the internet, we must be sure that government-use computersⁱⁱⁱ are available to all citizens. If, however, we can further the development of inexpensive units for the poor of other countries, we should be able to do the same for our own people. Although it might seem costly to distribute units to all Americans, in the end they would pay for themselves, and after the initial round, the annual expense would be modest. Rules will be necessary to designate who is entitled to a unit, but one per “family”^iv would seem to be reasonable. Beyond what most of us accept in terms of what constitutes a family though, additional definitions would be necessary.^v Census and marriage records might be employed in the determination, and those who are excluded could apply for additional units.^vi Similarly, those wishing additional units can obtain them at a reasonable price.^vii And, as for the opposite situation, anyone concerned about the clutter of an additional computer could have the program(s) downloaded onto an existing unit.

It is inevitable that repairs will be necessary and a government repair service should be available widely.^viii The cost of repairs should be minimal for bare-bones machines, and some form of cost-sharing between the owner^ix and the government should be implemented. In many cases it may be cheaper to trade out the unit than to repair it, but there should be some charge for this too, to encourage responsible care. If a repair cannot be accomplished immediately, and use of the system is necessary, local libraries, or other similar institutions, might provide back-up services.

A side benefit of such a program would be to encourage and improve computer literacy – possibly even before children start school.^x Literacy programs, at all levels, should be made available (at nominal cost?^xi) since it is obvious that the future is the internet and preparation of all our citizens should be a priority.

Clearly there will be start-up costs, but the income and other benefits^xii will start accruing rapidly after that. One will certainly be in the way Congress functions. Senators and Representatives will be able to work and vote from home – to telelegislate (?telegislate?). Your representative can stay home and work in his (or her) underwear, thus considerably lowering his clothing budget and the travel costs we must pay.^xiii Whatever offices are necessary will be local, as now, or in Cheyenne Mountain where costs can be lower than Washington.^xiv The same is true for housing costs. Committee meetings would be managed using conference calls with the occasional face-to-face meeting held at Cheyenne Mountain.^xv There will be no need to take family on the short visits there.^xvi They will be able to remain at their own residences where school changes won't be necessary. In fact, if the Congressman and his family remain in their district, we'll all have greater access to our representatives, and we'll be better able to keep track of their meetings with lobbyists.^xvii Of course the travel costs for the lobbyists will increase, but they are certain to be written off as business costs by their employers. Finally, by allowing almost all Congressional business to be handled locally, there can be significant staff reductions and efficiencies, redounding to all of our benefits.

It is sometimes necessary for our legislators to communicate with us and there is no more efficacious way than by the use of the internet.^xviii They all proclaim their love of the environment and their wish to preserve it, and what better way to do so immediately than to limit the need to cut down trees to create educational materials. Those we have elected can inform us of their positions on current topics^xix much more rapidly and cheaply by posting them for all to see. There might even be a method for polling constituents or otherwise allowing for feedback since our representatives surely want to vote on legislation in a manner that reflects our wishes rather than their own. Okay. I'm naïve.

Some of these and future proposals could be employed by the states and localities as well. The efficiencies they provide are sure to eventuate in lower taxes even the Federal government imposes a nominal fee for the privilege. That, too, will be of value to taxpayers.

But wait. We may have put Congress in its place, but you ain't heard nothing yet.

Next episode: “Saving America” – Raising the bar and lowering the debt.

i      It's too early to start pondering eminent domain and the nationalization of all communication systems, but no option should be exempt from consideration.

ii     Investment capital might be sought as a last resort, however there should be plenty of tax money which could be found. There always seems to be enough for the hare-brained schemes of all our representatives. We tax-payers are a generous lot, even if we don't know how our money is being (mis)used.

iii    Since the functions will be limited and there will be no competition, it will be unnecessary to be constantly upgrading the operating system.  In addition, printers (black and white only) should be available at a reasonable cost.  People may want to print out what they see on line, but it shouldn't be free.

iv     The definition of “family” will require some thought if all citizens are to be able to participate in the program.

v      What happens when two “singles” with computers marry? What happens when a family breaks up? What happens when a child grows up and moves out? What happens if someone tries to sell his computer? These, and numerous other possibilities, will have to be hashed out in advance of the system's implementation.

vi    The application, itself, would provide additional information for the government data base.

vii    To discourage the resale of units, they should have GPS devices so they can be located at all times. (There are other uses for a GPS which will be discussed in a future edition.) In addition, machines removed from the country, should require the payment in advance of a deposit.

viii  The location of the repair facilities may prove a thorny issue, but we have managed to provide other governmental services around the country and there is no reason why this situation should differ.

ix     A user may not have ready cash for a repair but this eventuality, and others of a similar nature, could be dealt with in the context of the tax system, which will be covered in a future installment of this series.

x      Elmo can give them a head start.

xi     There will be loud demands that in this effort and in others that there should be no charge for the needy (however large the bureaucracy required to make that determination) so as to “level the playing field.” Such efforts should be resisted. A payment, even if small, gives the user an investment in the system rather than getting it for nothing like another entitlement.

xii    They're not necessarily the same. Some benefits will relate primarily to function, though efficient function will, ultimately, lead to either increased revenues or lowered costs.

xiii   It would be unseemly and time-consuming for members of Congress to travel by bus, so air travel (economy class on commercial flights) to Cheyenne Mountain, with a maximum of one staff member, should be provided by taxpayers and all involved can be housed at the dormitory.

xiv    See “Go Tell It On The Mountain,” which appeared two weeks ago (March 3^rd). For more details on what might happen in our nation's capital, see the upcoming “The Future Of Our Past.” As for the offices in Cheyenne Mountain, they should be frugal, with functional and comfortable furnishings, but reflecting a limited budget. Anyone wanting something fancier can foot the bill.

xv     Spare conference rooms should be available.

xvi    And no payment for those who choose to do so anyway for some Rocky Mountain skiing or other purposes.

xvii   And others – significant or otherwise.

xviii  Perhaps this will lessen the need for frequent “informational” (actually it's mostly just before an election) mail and flyers. This self-serving extravagance can also be controlled by limiting or eliminating the “franking” privilege which has little purpose than to serve as an extra “perk” for incumbents.

xix    And to create, as well, a record of everything the politician is willing to commit to “paper”(-less paper).