http://www.dslreports.com/forum/r20977263 en Wed, 11 Nov 2009 12:41:31 EDT Wed, 11 Nov 2009 12:41:31 EDT http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20977263 kba4 : there may be some similarities but that article just isn't sensible IMO.

for one thing, OPEC demanded that members use USD as their currency and took on the US Debt; no such demand exists with broadband. another point is that somehow a broadband 'cartel' will be formed if we don't head off some coming crunch; I don't see this happening ever.

The thing one must remember about the Internet is it was designed for the free exchange of ideas and information. If you want it fast (and let's be honest- it's not like the www is a public utility that everyone has a right to) then you gotta pay. Now I agree that the US is way behind, but the issue is broadband in general- meaning the faster on-ramps offered by ISP's other than free wi-fi and dialup. faster anything with computers costs more. there's no cartel holding our data ransom and for the most part our Internet is still working just as designed.

...unlike oil where there are lots of factors at work. As our debt grows the USD is falling below a lot of other currencies in the world, and a weak dollar means slower debt pay-off, and more (or longer lasting) debt equals higher inflation. unless taxes go up to pay the debt off faster than one of our enemies (read: OPEC members who don't trade in USD, or a country that invests heavily in their economy) buys our debt and owns everything we have- including our Internet.
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"I saw Matlock in a bar last night; the sound was off, but I think I got the gist of it..."]]> http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,20977263 Tue, 19 Aug 2008 23:36:12 EDT