Saving America

                                                                                           

Now that we have all the members of Congressⁱ sequestered at home and in their underwear,ⁱⁱ it's time to consider some additionally possible economic benefits of the internet age which has already arrived. But before we do so, a caveat is in order: within two minutes of the implementation of a nationwide internet system,ⁱⁱⁱ many of our landsmen, and the mischievous of other nations, will be looking for a way to “hack” into it. A robust firewall should be made part of the algorithm before release, as well as a method for tracking those who would breach the wall, and to charge them^iv for their destructive efforts.

Assuming that we've attended to this possibility, we should explore the many ways in which our new system can enhance our country's revenues.^v The most obvious stems from the recognition of what we will have built: a nationwide internet system with connections to every household, and a network of transmission towers more extensive than that of any commercial enterprise. The facilities that comprise the system could be made available those enterprises^vi – not for their programs to appear on governmental machines, but to serve as platforms for transmission that they will not have to build. Current licenses would not be affected by these efforts, but the use of governmental facilities might be beneficial to the private companies. Indeed, the use of increased transmission potential might allow for additional programing, and more revenues for our nation's treasury.

Advantage may be taken, however, of the wide distribution of receivers set to broadcast a government channel. A second channel could be made available to advertisers^vii seeking a wider distribution of their “educational” messages, especially since the postal system will be a much less frequent distributor of commercial mail. No programing would take place on this channel, only advertising. While this may appear to threaten existing advertising, it is more likely that the opportunity will be seen as an additional outlet for advertisers, to be used to supplement that already existing. A third channel for political advertising^viii would give our representatives a method for contacting voters^ix as we discourage mail. There is likely to be considerable discussion about fees for this, but remembering the goal of raising money and the propensity of the political parties for soliciting contributions for advertising, it makes no sense to give screen-time away.

It was suggested yesterday that the units should contain GPS sensors so that they can be located at all times. Such a capability, however, could have other applications. With satellites that always view our entire land mass^x and see every road and obstruction in real time, as well as every computer (they'll all be portable), we have the basic elements of a close to perfect travel aid.^xi The capability of preparing maps and travel instructions will also be present and the government may be able to market trip planning materials – especially to potential tourists. There are certain to be protests that the system will be a boon to Big Brother, but sooner or later we're going to have to face the new reality.

Another method for cutting costs and raising money simultaneously involves both the Library of Congress and the Government Printing Office. From my perspective, both their products could be distributed widely over the internet. For example, any document ordinarily produced by the GPO could be available on line and, if absolutely necessary, printed at home. But printing should no longer be at taxpayer expense, and the facility size necessary for function could be considerable smaller and not in Washington.^xii

Similarly, the Library of Congress could be relocated since any text it has could be transmitted over the internet. Books and research materials need never leave the protected environment where it will be housed. Damage and theft will be reduced significantly and the property in Washington need not be used. A warehouse adjacent to Fort Knox would be fine. Transmission of audio material could come from such a site, as could videos.^xiii Significant savings would be possible, and charging for documents and other material would provide added revenues.

Speaking of the transmission of audio material, the system would allow immediate notification of our citizens of weather and other hazards, as well as other governmental information and announcements. The simultaneous and instantaneous transmission of important information to the entire population^xiv would provide a very important service.

There's more to be said about services that could be made possible over a national network and how every citizen, not only our representatives, can spend the day in his underwear, so tune in tomorrow as the internet provides you with the unarguable wisdom of the Imperious Loudmouth.

Next episode: “Vote Early” – And more that can be done on line.

i       Men (and women) may come and men (see prior parenthetical clarification) may go, but (unfortunately) Congress goes on forever (except over prolonged recesses).

ii      See “Net Profit” which appeared yesterday. By the way, we'd probably be greatly (and gratefully) benefited if the President stayed home as well.

iii     If it takes that long.

iv    Not only legally, but fiscally. Even this offense can be used to help in our primary goal of lowering the National Debt.

v      No. I'm not talking about taxes. At least not now.

vi     For a fee, of course.

vii    See note number vi. In reality, some members of the public may see products advertised by this method as having a government endorsement and the fees may be significant. There are 31,536,000 seconds in a year (actually more, but I only worked with the 365 complete days of the year) and if we can command anything like Super Bowl prices we'll make out like Robber Barons.

viii   There can even be another channel for C-SPAN, but that will probably get fewer viewers than the ads. It will, though, take less from the treasury than broadcasting it as a separate service.

ix     As part of this capability, there should be means for providing feedback or otherwise contacting our representatives.

x      How we would handle the various US territories, like those in the Pacific, will require some discussion.

xi     A basic system would be built in, but extra bells and whistles would be available at an added fee. There are always people who like to brag about their bells and whistles, even if they never use them. Should be a good money raiser. And with an occasional advertisement ...

xii     Sometime soon I'll publish my thoughts on relocations and land use.

xiii    Of events at the Kennedy Center, for example.

xiv    Although regional broadcasts can occur as well.