1y ago

Republicans slam broadband discounts for poor people, threaten to kill program

arstechnica.com Republicans slam broadband discounts for poor people, threaten to kill program

Thune, Cruz complain that $30 discounts go to people who "already had broadband."

Republicans slam broadband discounts for poor people, threaten to kill program::Thune, Cruz complain that $30 discounts go to people who "already had broadband."

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Republicans slam broadband discounts for poor people, threaten to kill program | Ars Technica

arstechnica.com /tech-policy/2023/12/republicans-slam-broadband-discounts-for-poor-people-threaten-to-kill-program/

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what a bunch of low life jerks.
they can give millions in subsidies direct to corporations, but a mild discount in internet services for poor people requires incredible, roadblock worthy proof of obvious numbers for zero reason. theyre just assholes.
- I would like to propose an alternative solution: Force broadband providers to offer low cost service to families that need it. Don't subsidize it, just force it.
  Internet connections cost next to nothing to maintain. The telecoms can afford it.
- they can give millions in subsidies direct to corporations
  That's exactly why they're fighting it -- every dollar they give to poor people is a dollar less they can give to rich people.
  
  That's what they think, or at least that's what they want you to think. Every study has shown that every dollar you give to anyone below the 40th percentile returns more than a dollar to the economy. The lower on the totem pole, the more it grows the economy. The opposite is also true. For every dollar you give the top 10 percent, 70 cents or less goes back into the economy.
  The more they give the poor, the richer they would get, but the money isn't the point. Cruelty is. They want to cause as much harm as they can get away with before we whip out the trebuchets and guillotines.
  
  But that risks poors being less poor and exploitable. It's ultimately about the control.
  
  They'd keep the control if they gave the poor the resources they need. That doesn't upset the balance of power, it just grows the economy to the size it needs to be for everyone to thrive. Control is already secured. Cruelty is the point.

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