Socialist Councillor at Large in St. John’s Dave Lane who unfortunately has coercive power over many residents wants to use his power to force everyone to pay for downtown internet. Of course, he’s branding it as “free” internet, but as everyone knows, there is nothing free about another government boondoggle. Think about it. When the government, even the municipal one, wants to provide a “free” service, they have to raise the money through increased taxation. You can’t choose not to pay this tax. If you don’t pay it, you will either go to jail or receive a bad credit rating. You’ll be endlessly harassed and your life will be made more difficult.
With this kind of choice, the service you are forced to pay for should at the very least be essential. But it’s not, it’s internet. Why should I pay for someone else’s internet? If a business wants to provide this service, feel free. If customers want to pay roaming charges, again, feel free. But in a “free” society, we should not be forced to pay for someone else’s internet. At the very least someone needs a phone or laptop to use the internet. They had to pay for these, therefore they’re probably not starving. Plus, according to Lane, he wants this for travelers, especially business travelers. So someone can buy an airline ticket to come here, buy a computer or smart phone, and be here on business and therefore must pay for hotel accommodations, meals, etc. but somehow they can’t afford the $5 or $10 per day for internet charges in outside areas charged by Rogers, Telus, Bell or other providers. Also, most hotels offer free internet to begin with.
What about the argument that free internet will make St. John’s a “friendlier place” to do business? First of all, whether or not there is free internet will have zero impact on business travel to the province. What an absurd scenario: A businessperson is deciding on whether to come here. He does a bit of research on hotels, transportation, meals, various business costs, and it works out to $3500 for a week. But somehow the extra $50 (at most) makes the whole thing prohibitively expensive and he decides not to come? Does anyone really believe this?
This is just another stupid “program” to make the councillor look good, like he’s giving everyone something free. Most people won’t bother looking into the cost and will probably just say who cares. Most people will applaud this and say how advanced it makes us. Also, this is like rearranging deck chairs on the Titanic. St. John’s isn’t really a serious place for business. Buildings can only be a few storeys high, everything is government run, and people drive about half the speed limit. Given the downtown area free internet won’t change anything except our municipal taxes.
Article here: http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/newfoundland-labrador/dave-lane-wants-free-wireless-internet-in-downtown-st-john-s-1.3125497
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