Commentary

Dems wanna get innovative

Delivering high-speed Net access to all Americans within five years was among a medley of priorities outlined by the U.S. House of Representatives’ Democratic leader on Tuesday. “Universal broadband–whether it’s delivered by Wi-Fi or WiMax, or hard line–will put all Americans, no matter where they live, no more than a keystroke or a mouse click away from the jobs and opportunity broadband both creates and supports,” Rep. Nancy Pelosi of California said in prepared remarks for a morning appearance at the National Press Club in Washington, D.C. The suggestion mirrors a proposal by President Bush last year but appears to be more modest. The president clamored for a deregulatory approach that would grant broadband access to “every corner” of America by 2007.[We’re actually pretty close to reaching that goal.]

The “innovation agenda” is also responding to fears about offshore outsourcing:

Among other goals Pelosi presented: granting scholarships aimed at producing 100,000 new scientists, mathematicians and engineers in the next four years; doubling research and development spending, and boosting tax incentives …(PDF here).

How about fixing some of those lousy schools first? Wouldn’t that be innovatiive? Article here.