UTOPIA Solves 'Net Neutrality'
The hottest public policy debate in the high-tech world is over “net neutrality,” which pits big Internet companies like Google and Amazon.com against big telecommunications companies like Qwest and Comcast.
The Internet companies want Congress to prevent the telecommunications firms that own the networks going into homes and businesses, from charging extra for large data files sent over the Internet. The telecommunications companies want the ability to charge content providers like Google and Amazon.com fees for giving their Internet content higher priority so it gets to the customer faster. The justification is that downloads of large data files like movies, for example, take up more space on their networks. The extra charges would likely be passed on to the customer.
Currently, the telecom firms charge ISPs and consumers higher rates for higher bandwidth connections, but they don’t get additional fees for large data file traffic. “Net neutrality” advocates say allowing telecom firms to charge more for quicker downloads would give them too much power and would set up a two-tiered Internet system with wealthy content providers having an advantage over small Web sites that may not be able to pay higher fees.
Both sides make valid points (for more on net neutrality see this CNN.com article). But the UTOPIA open network model solves the problem without additional regulation by simply giving consumers the choice of several service providers, creating competition among the ISPs and the incentive to keep charges low. Consumers can choose the best service at the lowest cost. If one service provider charges extra for large downloads, consumers can choose another. The free market will determine who wins. Where consumers don’t have a choice, or it is difficult to switch from one provider to another, they will be stuck with whatever charges are passed on to them.
Good Times for Economic Development
With a project load more than double that of three years ago, the Economic Development Corporation (EDCUTAH) reports that its project pipeline is filled with companies looking at Utah as a place to grow and expand. This week’s issue of the Economic Review has the full story on EDCUTAH’s project load, its wins, pending announcements, and losses. Click here to read the full story.
Blog Watch
Rep. Steve Urquhart says: "A few months ago, Rep. John Dougall developed an income tax reform idea as we talked in my office. We agreed that it would make sense either to have a flat tax or to simply drop the top rate on our existing system. 'What about creating a bifurcated system and doing both?' he asked. 'Drop the rate a bit on our current system, set up a separate flat tax system, and let each taxpayer pick which one he wants to use.' I told him he was crazy and that it wouldn't have a prayer of moving forward. The Governor and Senate leadership now endorse the idea. Further proof of my political genius" (see also here and here)... Part of the Plan says of Pres. Bush's veto of a bill that would have expanded federal funding for stem cell research: "The embryonic stem cells that this bill would have opened up for medical research are currently being discarded ... wasted ... In other words, it's okay to throw them away, but they can't be used for any useful purpose, like finding cures to diseases for which there is little hope today. Diseases like multiple sclerosis, which my wife has" (see also here, here, here, and here)... MangledCat discusses the implications of Gov. Huntsman's decision to throw his support behind Arizona Sen. John McCain's likely '08 presidential bid (see also here, here, here, here, and here)... At The RCP Blog, Ryan Sager says: "A filmmaker named Mitch Davis wants to start a 527, and use it to fund a movie about Mormonism and Mitt Romney. Talk about your uncoordinated expenditures. The Salt Lake Tribune [reported] this story [yesterday] and offers this assessment: 'Davis' campaign -- which he acknowledges likely will start with donations from sympathetic Utahns -- could end up helping Romney make his religion a non-issue or end up reinforcing the cultish image many Americans have of the faith.' I'm going to guess the latter" (see also here, here, and here).
-- Compiled by Golden Webb
Washington Watch
Leavitt Defends Bush Stem Cell Policy
In op-ed, HHS Sec. and former Utah governor Mike Leavitt defends Pres. Bush's stem cell research policy: "Some have described the president's policy as a 'ban' on embryonic stem cell research. On the contrary, under the president, federal funding on embryonic stem cells has grown from zero dollars in 2001 to more than $40 million in 2005 and keeps growing as the research holds increasing promise. Much of the scientific publications on embryonic stem cells in the world are based on the U.S. federally approved cell lines ... In an age where science offers exciting -- and at times ethically challenging possibilities -- policymakers have to decide where to draw the boundaries on government-funded research. The president's stem cell policy demonstrates the profound and unique responsibilities of the policymaker, and it offers the type of balanced and principled course such a complex issue demands" (USA Today); Leavitt appoints Utahn Jeffrey Botkin to the Secretary's Advisory Committee on Human Research Protections (see press release).
Hatch On Stem Cell Research
Sen. Orrin Hatch says Pres. Bush's veto of a bill that would have expanded federal funding for stem cell research "sets us back a year or so until we can finally pass a bill that will have the requisite supermajority to be able to become law. And that sets back embryonic stem cell research another year or so" (Associated Press); Hatch says his position on stem cell research is pro-life: "I will put my pro-life track record up against anyone inside or outside of Congress. I believe that being pro-life involves helping the living. Regenerative medicine is pro-life and pro-family. It enhances, it does not diminish human life" (La Crosse Tribune); Hatch says stem cell research proponents "are aiding the living, which is one of the most pro-life positions you can take" (CNN); Hatch says: "I do not question that an embryo is a living cell. But I do not believe that a frozen embryo in a fertility clinic freezer constitutes human life" (Chicago Tribune); Hatch expects quick congressional passage of his sex crimes bill, which "would create the first national Internet database and laws designed to improve the tracking of convicted sex offenders" (USA Today).
Cannon: Rhetoric ‘Playing to Primal Fear’
Rep. Chris Cannon says much of today's political rhetoric on illegal immigration is "playing to primal fear," and says many of his congressional colleagues "don't want to be associated with [an immigration reform] solution. There are races where losing 4%, 5% or 7% of the Republican vote to a guy who claims to be tougher on immigration could make a difference" (USA Today); Cannon says of the House passage of HJ Res. 88, the Marriage Protection Act: "[Tuesday's] vote was about protecting the sanctity of marriage. This amendment protects marriage from the whims of activist judges. Though I have great reservations about amending the U.S. Constitution, an amendment is our last resort to reign (sic) in an un-checked judiciary" (see press release).
Matheson Votes to Override Bush Veto
Rep. Jim Matheson joins "a bipartisan effort to override President Bush's veto of HR 810 -- legislation that allows federal funding for stem cell research within narrow limits and under strict ethical guidelines" (see press release).
Local Government Watch
ULCT Legislative Update
The Utah League of Cities and Towns has posted a July legislative update. To read it, click here.
National Politics
Former Congressman George Nethercutt predicts in an OpinionJournal.com column that Democrats won’t take over the House this year, but they might in 2008 unless Republicans in Congress focus on an aggressive agenda dealing with the major problems facing the country.
Thredgold on Japan
Utah economic Jeff Thredgold, in his weekly Tea Leaf economic update, says Japan’s economy is finally on the mend. |
