this post was submitted on 16 Jan 2025
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The US Government needs to stop dicking around with this neoliberal bullshit and just offer mobile and home Internet AS A UTILITY.
Use the existing USPS infrastructure and cut out all the bullshit ISPs and parasitical orgs that have been bloating themselves on taxpayers for decades, with zero improvements to users.
Bring back basic banking at USPS too.
Well I doubt that is going happen anytime soon. https://www.npr.org/2024/04/26/1247393656/net-neutrality-explained-fcc
https://www.jdsupra.com/legalnews/federal-net-neutrality-reinstatement-3966433/
FCC lacks authority to make that happen.
"The recent ruling by the 6thCircuit Court of Appeals is one of the first major challenges to a federal agency action after the Chevron Doctrine—which gave deference to federal agency decision-making and findings—was overturned in the landmark Loper Bright Enterprises v. Raimondo decision by the Supreme Court in June 2024."
By USPS you mean post office? If so, I'm gonna need you to explain the "USPS infrastructure can be reworked to offer internet service" part. Not arguing, genuinely curious.
You used to be able to do some banking at your local post office. You still can at some offices but it has largely been done away with. I believe they were referring to this and not USPS as an ISP.
I actually meant both. To use USPS for basic banking, AND have them offer internet from the same locations.
I see that now. My brain read your first USPS as ISP I guess. In which case... yes please do explain what infrastructure they have that could be used to deliver internet to the masses.
They have physical locations and extant real estate across the entire US.
So, rather than continuing to give billions to private ISPs that do literally nothing with that money, and who double-down to curtail services whenever mildly inconvenient, my suggestion is that we (ie US Government) does not provide a single additional dollar in funding or subsidies, and instead invests that money in building itself a USG internet UTILITY. If necessary, clawback the billions that have gone to Comcast, ATT, Verizon et al, or just seize their networks and charge their executives with RICO and fraud. They essentially operate as a cartel anyway.
Love the idea of expanding the usps. Also think they could be a more sustainable Amazon with reusable packaging, quality staple goods, and fairly-paid & well-treated employees!
If only…
But how? What infrastructure? Do they have their own fiber network or something?
That's not what they said, but now that you mention it, both concern the regular transfer of information. USPS should be a utility broadband provider.