This election season, the Obama campaign has encouraged people to host grassroots events as part of the process to develop the Democratic platform. Organizers have been working hard to put together meetings on a huge variety of issues -- and CWA members were no exception.
At meetings around the country, CWA members came together to discuss the need for the U.S. to adopt a comprehensive high speed Internet policy to achieve universal access.
One such meeting in Columbus, Ohio, was hosted by Frank Mathews, chair of the Ohio State Council, president of Local 4321 in southern Ohio, and member of the Ohio Broadband Council. In addition to addressing health care, taxes, trade and other issues, the 20 attendees submitted a statement on the importance of high speed Internet:
"For our children and ourselves, to grow our economy, and to create good jobs we need affordable high-speed broadband to every American family, business, and community. Just like we made sure that everyone has access to telephone service, we must make sure that everyone has access to high-speed Internet, the communications system of the 21st century. We cannot leave rural areas behind."
A similar statement was developed at another meeting in Richmond, Virginia, hosted by Richard Hatch, executive vice president of Local 2201. Here's how Hatch described their meeting:
"Our meeting was mainly focused on the horrors of getting a decent internet speed in the rural areas surrounding Richmond, VA. Some of our attendees told stories of how they live 20 minutes outside of Richmond and only have the option of dial-up service. They felt that it puts their kids at a disadvantage to other children around the country in achieving a good education and competing for limited college openings."
And Darrin Simmons of Local 9421 in Sacramento reports that at their meeting planks were submitted on economic, health care, energy, and communications technology policy. Here is their statement on high speed Inter0
net access:
"To assure economic growth and job creation, we must restore U.S. leadership in truly high-speed networks for everyone. We must guarantee wide-open Internet access to all free from degradation or roadblocks of any kind."
As a result of these efforts like these nationwide, the finalized Democratic platform contains strong provisions calling for universal high speed Internet access.
See the text of the platform's dealing with high speed Internet after the jump.
From the 2008 Democratic Party Platform:
A Connected America
In the 21st century, our world is more intertwined than at any time in human history. This new connectedness presents us with untold opportunities for innovation, but also new challenges. We will protect the Internet's traditional openness and ensure that it remains a dynamic platform for free speech, innovation, and creativity. We will implement a national broadband strategy (especially in rural areas, and our reservations and territories) that enables every American household, school, library, and hospital to connect to a world-class communications infrastructure. We will rededicate our nation to ensuring that all Americans have access to broadband and the skills to use it effectively. In an increasingly technology-rich, knowledge based economy, we understand that connectivity is a key part of the solution to many of our most important challenges: job creation, economic growth, energy, health care, and education. We will establish a Chief Technology Officer for the nation, to ensure we use technology to enhance the functioning, transparency, and expertise of government, including establishing a national interoperable public safety communications network to help first responders at the local, state and national level communicate with one another during a crisis.
We will toughen penalties, increase enforcement resources, and spur private sector cooperation with law enforcement to identify and prosecute those who exploit the Internet to try to harm children. We will encourage more educational content on the Web and in our media. We will give parents the tools and information they need to manage what their children see on television and the Internet – in ways fully consistent with the First Amendment. We will strengthen privacy protections in the digital age and will harness the power of technology to hold government and business accountable for violations of personal privacy. We will encourage diversity in the ownership of broadcast media, promote the development of new media outlets for expression of diverse viewpoints, and clarify the public interest obligations of broadcasters who occupy the nation's spectrum.
Marc Ambinder at the Atlantic has posted a PDF of the full platform.
It is encouraging that Barack Obama has opened up the Democratic platform process to involve regular Americans, and thanks to the hard work of CWA members across the country, the issue of universal high speed Internet will be well represented at the Democratic Convention next week.
Links
The DNC Platform, Revised (The Atlantic)
