In an apparent attempt to rally unemployed and low-income voters who make up so much of the Democratic Party’s base, candidate Hillary Clinton says her administration would provide free Wi-Fi throughout the country. There will, of course, be nothing free for taxpayers.
Clinton, in a statement about her plans to improve American technology infrastructure, insists that free or low cost high-speed internet access should be a right rather than a luxury in 21st century America.
From her campaign website:
[S]he will finish the job of connecting America’s households to the Internet, committing that by 2020, 100 percent of households in America will have access to affordable broadband that delivers world-class speeds sufficient to meet families’ needs. Clinton will also build upon the Obama Administration’s efforts to increase not just broadband access but also broadband adoption, both by fostering greater competition in local broadband markets to bring down prices and by investing in low-income communities and in digital literacy programs. In addition, Clinton is committed to expanding the Obama Administration’s efforts to connect “anchor” institutions — like public school and public libraries — to high-speed broadband. She will invest new federal resources so that train stations, airports, mass transit systems, and other public buildings can have access to gigabit connectivity and can provide free Wi-Fi to the public.
Clinton recently tried to play up her attempts to appear as a youthful candidate who understands the technology demands of young Americans with a tweet promising, “Two Words: Free Wi-Fi. In train stations, airports and other public spaces.”
Of course, Clinton didn’t point out that many of these public spaces already offer free Wi-Fi to paying customers via the free market without burdening taxpayers.
Americans for Tax Reform founder Grover Norquist pointed out that, for middle class Americans, Clinton’s call for government subsidized and free internet access will likely translate to huge tax hikes.
“Nothing is ever as expensive as something our government provides for ‘free,’” said Norquist.
The ATR founder pointed out that the infrastructure costs associated with Clinton’s scheme to gain votes by promising free internet to low-income Americans will be covered by some $275 billion in unspecified tax hikes on American businesses. In addition to harming American small business owners’ bottom lines, consumers who already pay for internet access will also feel trickle down economic damage from the hikes.
The Wi-Fi infrastructure tax hikes would come as part of more than $1.025 trillion in new taxes being proposed by the Clinton campaign, including $350 billion in new taxes to provide further government subsidies for college students and between “$400 and $500 billion” in fairness tax hikes on things such as capital gains and inheritances.
The post Cool, hip Hillary Clinton touts ‘Free Wi-Fi’ plan, taxpayers to feel the pain appeared first on Personal Liberty®.
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