Obama's Revolutionary Second-Term Definfing Plan - It's Been in Place Since 1997 - Granite Grok

Obama’s Revolutionary Second-Term Definfing Plan – It’s Been in Place Since 1997

In search of a second term defining plan, the Obama team is our running a PR campaign on an effort they claim is new and innovative–so much so that it may define Mr. Obama’s second term as President.

They want to spend billions on getting High Speed internet to every classroom in America, a program they are calling ConnectEd.  They are even willing to do it without congress if they have to (big suprise there), funding it through an increase in FCC fees on mobile phone users.

But they don’t have to.  Congress passed and Bill Clinton signed,  back in 1996, a plan that has empowered the FCC since 1997 to spend up 2.5 billion annually to do exactly what the Obama Team is trying to sell as a cutting edge idea today.

The E-rate program (see also here) is administered by the Schools and Libraries Division (SLD) of theUniversal Service Administrative Company (USAC). The program was set up in 1997 when the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) adopted a Universal Service Order implementing the Telecommunications Act of 1996. The Order was designed to ensure that all eligible schools and libraries have affordable access to modern telecommunications and information services. Up to $2.25 billion annually is available to provide eligible schools and libraries with discounts under the E-rate program for authorized services.

That started 16 years ago.   Anyone want to guess how much we probably spent on the program?  I bet it was a lot.  And I bet we’re wondering now why a plan FCC tablethat is 16 years old and may have exhausted tens if not hundreds of billions of dollars on through-put infrastructure failed so badly that we need to spend even more today?

Or maybe they just want to new fee to funnel slush funds to donors and supporters?

Here is what the FCC is supposed to have been providing as assistance to Library’s and all schools, public or private, that were eligible.  (Current Web Site)

Direct and wireless internet, as well as a plethora of other services and, for which billions annually has been made available…since 1997.

And you can still apply on-line.

So I guess what will continue to define Obama in the second term is ignorance of existing programs, the desire increases fees, pandering to high value topics and ideas that have been around for almost 20 years, and…oh yeah, Scandals, spying, Dead ambassadors and that signature initiative from his first term–the one he keeps putting off becasue it is such a train wreck.

One word.  Legacy!

 

H/T to reader LoneStarGrok for the tip and the links.

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