How Tech-Savvy Will the Next President Be?

Passion 06-07-2008

We've got our candidates. We know their positions on the major issues of the day — healthcare, the Iraq war, the economy, yada, yada, yada. But Senators McCain and Obama will also have to be concerned with tech issues. Where do they stand on Net neutrality, patent protection, piracy, broadband, privacy, and H1B visas? Do their campaign positions match up with their voting records and public statements? Here's how they stack up on the big five tech issues of the day.

The economy, the war in Iraq, healthcare, and … Net neutrality?

When the dust settles in November, the next president will have his or her hands full with the usual issues. But the tech industry will also be watching with great interest to see if a McCain, Obama, or even a Clinton presidency will tackle key issues like Net neutrality, patent protection and piracy, broadband availability, privacy, and the availability of H1B visas.

Many argue that our 44th president cannot afford to ignore these issues, as access to broadband, cutting down on copyright infringement, and opening our doors to talented minds from abroad can only help the economy. Meanwhile, keeping these technological advances available to everyone will ensure that innovation is not stifled, and that one company does not dominate an essential industry.

Raven

Only Obama and Clinton would have a shot of being somewha tech savvy. McCain is as old as dirt so not even going to think he uses a cmoputer much. I don't see Obama much of a tech person but maybe that's a side of him I haven't seen yet.

Hsoolien

This will actually come down to political views as to how business should be affected by the government.

McCain will take the position that the government should keep out of business affairs, and that consumer drive will make ISP's and other net companies do what's best for them (this means the death of net neutrality since the only thing keeping ISP's net neutral right now is law, if the law is struck out, then the ISP's will control what is delivered to customers meaning you are looking at a cable model of content supply, basic sites come with a basic plan and you'll pay for access to alternative sites to their own, as well as non common sites).

Obama will support the notion to keep net neutrality because he understands that companies do not always do what's best for their customers.

Nina

There was an interview o the Daily Show and I forgot who of but they pointed out that Obma has all the best intentions but can cause more harm then good. Like someone would would pull the knife out if you get stab but there times you don't just take the knife straight out.

Joi

I kind of think they just hating on the since more then likely he's going to win. So far he's been a cool president like Clinton, by cool I mean laid back.

Hsoolien

That's the same rep liberal leaders always get "They have good intentions, but they'll hurt you bringing them around", this is mostly seeded in the fact liberal politicians support social programs (Nationalized health care, nationalized pension plans, better funding for schools and arts, and support for those disabled), which also increase taxes, and as an American OMFG you better not raise taxes we can support our own asses.

Something to consider, in Canada the least you can make is 3-4 times (Depending on state and province) what you will in the US, you will also pay about 3-4 times more in taxes (which BTW leads to you still making more per hour), however the level of social programs available to a minimum wage worker in Canada (based on value) would require the same minimum wage worker in the States to make four times their minimum wage, and spend EVERY penny on various insurances. There are advantages to mass funded public systems.

there are some disadvantages as die hard conservatives will call, yes a private organization is generally more effective penny per penny spent in supplying some services, however the need to make top dollar means services cut, and premiums increased.
Also in Canada no matter how rich you are you have to wait just as long as anyone else for access to certain health items (MRI's top the list), but that's just it, you can't be bumped by some guy that makes more, and they can always opt to go to the states if they really feel the need to get their tests faster.

Most of the reasons the US does not make (or just scrapes in at bottom) top ten lists of places to live, is lack of government social agencies.

But it does go to far at times. Examples are Communism (which is pure socialism in the government), which is not very effective till some capitalism is mixed in, France is suffering a huge recession that is the result of over socialization. It's all about balance. Canada is close, and most liberal American politicians would take Canada as the bar to meet.

Yes our taxes are high, but the accident I was in would have beggared me for years till the settlement came through in the States, and odds are I would not have anything close to the level of recovery I have.

Taxes are not always evil when in intelligent well intentioned hands (not like our last Liberal leading government that started dipping for themselves which is why they got kicked out)

Balance is alway key

Lauren

If it wasn't for the so many issues of the misuase of money by the goverment and big business taxes wouldn't be so big of a deal.

hugo281

Well I hope the next president who ever it may be can do something about making broadband and other technological advances available to everyone that would be awesome for me and whether its Obama or McCain they would get my vote

Hsoolien

You realize current misuse of taxes with tax cuts for the rich and business like is what's fucking the common American in the ass? Governments do not always misuse tax money, this is a myth generated by conservative think tanks so that conservative politicians can say "OMG s/he's a liberal and will increase taxes, and then misuse them cause that's what tax happy governments do"

Have you seen the multi-trillion dollar deficit generated by the current conservative administration (and McCain says he'll continue it), caused by corporate tax cuts (that did not generate reduced end user fees as promised) and an illegal war costing millions of dollars an hour?

Oh and Hugo, Broadband for everyone should not be a deciding factor when voting... see above, look at the job market, look at Americas relations internationally...

hugo281

true Hsool but honestly I just try to keep an open mind you know, but broadband is just an incentive for me dude lol, I rather have the next president fix this economy and take things back the way they were before Bush messed everything up, you remember how Clinton had the economy everything was running smoooth and that's what I was hoping Obama might do, I'm still not sure about McCain being able to do that because he's talking about keep up the war in Iraq and most of my friends are still in Iraq wondering when they are coming home but since McCain is keeping up the same policies Bush is doing now who knows how this economy will end up if he becomes president

Hsoolien

Currently with the information I see presented, a vote for McCain is a vote for four more years of Bushisms and Bush like policies.