Obama Says Internet Key to Economic Recovery
This morning, after President-Elect Obama laid out the key parts of his economic recovery plan during his weekly address, he turned to the Internet and told the country that he intends to "renew our information superhighway."
"It is unacceptable that the United States ranks 15th in the world in broadband adoption. Here, in the country that invented the Internet, every child should have the chance to get online, and they'll get that chance when I'm President - because that's how we'll strengthen America's competitiveness in the world," he said.
Last month, we highlighted Obama's use of the Web; his ability to embrace technology and connect with his audience, and from what we've seen to date, he hasn't disappointed.
Within 24 hours of winning the historic election, Obama's transition team launched Change.gov so that the public could follow the setting up of the Obama administration. Ten days later, Obama announced he would bring the President's weekly "fireside chat" into the 21st century by sharing it on YouTube; the very next day we saw the weekly Democratic address released on the Web for the first time.
Two weeks ago, we saw Change.gov announce support for OpenID, and more recently add a Creative Commons license.
Today's pledge to connect American libraries, schools and hospitals to the Internet once again confirms Obama's commitment to technology.
"Because to help our children compete in a 21st century economy, we need to send them to 21st century schools," he said. He also wants to ensure every doctor and every hospital in the country is using cutting edge technology in an attempt to cut red tape, prevent medical mistakes, and help cut costs.
Clearly, the President-elect is not shying away from technology, and here at ReadWriteWeb we hope the examples he has set so far continue post Inauguration Day.
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"The office of the President-elect" is a work of pure fiction, there is no such office. People just believe the hype. Obama has appointed people to his economic team who have played key roles in creating the economic mess we are in today. So much for "Change".
Posted by: Ian | December 7, 2008 12:46 AM
I dont think so - Tech maybe but not Internet
Posted by: Łukasz | December 7, 2008 2:09 AM
America invented the Internet?? I don't think so...
Posted by: Patrick | December 7, 2008 2:49 AM
You fail @ the history of the internet.
Posted by: david hollis | December 7, 2008 3:24 AM
I must say americans finally must be proud of such a president. This guy is amazing!
Posted by: Andrei Potorac | December 7, 2008 4:08 AM
Finally, a president that not only gets it but that make sit a point to connect with the American people. This is very encouraging to see.
As an electrical engineer it is extremely exciting to see investments and focus on our infrastructure. Investment in internet communications is indeed the critical plumbing needed to enable technology in our future.
The highway system is exactly the example that the fed should follow.
Posted by: Charles D | December 7, 2008 4:42 AM
I am a fan of obama...so far so good...I hope he doesnt disappoint the entire world and bring a change especially in US foreign policy....we deserve a better (more peaceful) world and he is the only hope
Posted by: Sumeet | December 7, 2008 5:03 AM
how i wish i can say the same [internet key to economic recovery]to my students.
reality check.
Posted by: ipanema | December 7, 2008 5:07 AM
www.eskibirsaat.com
Posted by: ali | December 7, 2008 7:09 AM
I agree with a great majority of what he said.
But the speech was rather depressing, with the incredulous numbers and talk of whether some families will be able to put their children through college or not.
About the whole 'America invented the internet' thing: ???
Posted by: deepikaur
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December 7, 2008 7:23 AM
It`s good to know that the President actually takes the time to connect to people using the Internet and so on. The whole campaign was a great example of what PR agencies can do, but overall we`ll see how this develops over the next 4 years.
Posted by: FocusOnLife | December 7, 2008 7:32 AM
Sigh, Here goes another .com boom/bust... Increasing the information superhighway is great and all but what about curbing what got us into our current mess... You know SPECULATION.. Nothing will be super anything until you can fix our "Super-bubble-economy"..
Posted by: BrianStanton
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December 7, 2008 8:06 AM
well Obama used the internet to get elected, so i guess he understands the internet more than most
Posted by: Chris | December 7, 2008 8:57 AM
It's great to see Obama uses the Internet to reach out to the nation. It's a cheaper and more effective way of communicating.
Posted by: anonymous | December 7, 2008 9:28 AM
At first I was going to argue with some others that US didn't create the Internet, but now that I'm thinking it was the military that created it. Now US DID NOT create the WWW. That was in Europe @ CERN.
Posted by: Kyle James | December 7, 2008 11:55 AM
I am most interested in how this directly translates into a job, or new opportunities, for me, as an IT professional.
Posted by: Shane Harris | December 7, 2008 12:58 PM
Every percentage point increase in broadband adoption creates 220,000 jobs. Since Obama's plan aims to create 2.5 million jobs, heâs probably targeting a twelve percent increase in broadband adoption.
Posted by: Mike Abundo
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December 7, 2008 7:56 PM
@deepikaur America did invent the internet. Your point?
Posted by: scott anderson
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December 7, 2008 8:35 PM
All I know for sure is that I sell online, and getting more people involved with the internet is better for the eCommerce trade... that WILL have an effect on the economy IMHO. eCommerce sites like OnlineAuction.com, that are dedicated to the small business person, can only reap the rewards of an internet-savvy president.
Posted by: MetzyMom | December 7, 2008 10:59 PM
Does that include his complete rejection of industry standard credit card fraud prevention routines?
It's funny how Obama is held to a lower standard than, say, an online porn site by his supporters.
How about a president that ensures his campaign isn't financed by foreign nationals and credit card fraud? Or is that too much to ask?
Posted by: George | December 8, 2008 4:19 AM
Oh please typical. We invented the internet. What hogwash. The sooner the USA realises that it is a very average player within the world and responsible for the present economic climate at present the better everybody will be. Just like the world series, NOW what world is that then ???
Tell me some one owns the internet next!!!!
Posted by: .Marvin | December 8, 2008 7:26 AM
It's a start. A really good place to start. It's a new way that each of us may be able to play a role in our democracy.
Posted by: Jeff | December 8, 2008 8:21 AM
I wonder how he will make use of the internet as a key to economic recovery. Maybe information to create better technology... but then again these info is also available to other countries.
Posted by: Diamonds | December 8, 2008 10:03 AM
@Scott Anderson - My bad. For some reason, I was thinking of the WWW.
Posted by: deepikaur
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December 8, 2008 2:35 PM
What about a Free Software Fund for ICT infrastructure?
Posted by: Andre | December 8, 2008 3:27 PM
i thing this policy is good for economic recovery.
Posted by: Ray Donovan | December 8, 2008 9:55 PM
People are so fast to critisize without themselves have the correct information. Research the intrenet before you start making some to the comments, that I have read above. Fact One: The The Internet and Transmission Control Protocols were initially developed in 1973 by American computer scientist Vinton Cerf as part of a project sponsored by the United States Department of Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (ARPA) and directed by American engineer Robert Kahn. (I beleive the dept of defense is in America)
Fact Two:The Internet began as a computer network of ARPA (ARPAnet) that linked computer networks at several universities and research laboratories in the United States.
Fact Three:The World Wide Web was developed in 1989 by English computer scientist Timothy Berners-Lee for the European Organization for Nuclear Research (CERN).
Don't be a hater accept the grand work that the man is about to do to bring America back to its rightful position of "The Number One Super Power in The World" again.
If he where a caucasian would he look more like Roosevelt. With 2.1 million people out of work and the Great Depression of 1929 with a total 4 milion people out of work, if the Big Three Auto makers are allowed to go under we will be nknocking on the door of the Greatest Depression in history with about 5 million unemployed in America. The matter of the color of his flesh tone doesn't make a difference, the gray matter and the wrinkles it is his mind are what all count. The ideas are what make a man great. As JFK said in his inaugaural speech "Ask not what can your country do for you but what can you do for your country?"
Posted by: Andre Johnson. | December 9, 2008 9:05 AM
I think it's a great idea. Younger people are becoming more technologically savvy and corporate people can't stand to be too far away from their emails or the Web. It was just a matter of time before the Internet became easier to access. Companies, such as Portland-based Clear, are also making it easier for users to access the Web without scouring for hot spots. (www.clear.com/?utm_source=bc) It's time to accept the change!
Posted by: nadia | December 11, 2008 2:43 PM
"High Plains Drifter" by Tim Shey
www.wallsofjericho.50megs.com
Posted by: Tim Shey | December 11, 2008 4:08 PM
It is indeed a good initiative. His thinking is in the right direction. Whether he succeeds and uses the technologies of the internet effectively remains to be seen.
Good luck - Obama.
Posted by: Raj | December 30, 2008 8:03 AM
You know, in this country "you're damned if you don't, and damned if you do" . . .
Obama isn't GOD - he's just a guy that wanted to do something positive for America, and ran for president to do it.
NOW, he actually wants to include us in his plans and his thinking (Go figure). How quickly we forget the previous administration . . .it took 2 days for them to get their story straight about Dick Cheney getting shot by himself in the face from behind . . . .
Give the guy a break! At least he has the intestinal fortituted to want to treat us like people.
And as far as the history of the Internet goes, it was indeed started in America as the Intranet - a way for government agencies, and subsequently universities to exchange information. THEN, it became the Internet!
Posted by: KimRogers
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December 30, 2008 9:04 AM