Too Poor to Afford the Internet; New York Times, 8/12/16

Anthony W. Marx, New York Times; Too Poor to Afford the Internet:

"I know there are technological hurdles to providing universal broadband. But the commitment I’m asking for isn’t particularly novel. Early in the last century, the nation’s leaders decided, at no small cost, to bring clean water, then electricity, then phone service to all parts of our country. And from this foundation we built the wealthiest, most productive economy in the world.

When New York City was founded by the Dutch, it had two great strengths: a population of varied backgrounds and ideas, and access to information, through its vibrant shipping industry. This is what made us a global city. Today’s technology revolution promises to provide more information, more widely than ever. Yet we have left almost two million New Yorkers in the digital dark.

We can fix this. We can realize our city’s full potential in the digital age. And the kids in the Bronx can get their math homework done."