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More Fallout From FCC VoIP Decision

Posted by michael on from the who-you-gonna-call dept.

EconomyGuy writes "While many of us have been celebrating the recent FCC decision to keep regulation off of VoIP, but there may be some undesirable results for those progressive geeks who believe government should do more than provide military defense. As VoIP takes off as a replacement for the traditional copper-wire network, local and state governments are going to lose more and more funding for important services like 911 and Universal Service."

4 of 304 comments (clear)

  1. It won't come to that... by DeTHZiT · · Score: 5, Funny

    I'm sure that it will never become an issue. 911 is such an important, fundamental service, it will always be offered. Besides, as Big Brotherish as the government is these days, you could probably just call the free "terrorist hint line" and tell them Osama Bin Laden is trying to steal your car...

  2. They don't collect enough tax? by JPriest · · Score: 5, Insightful
    Between State tax, Federal tax, Social Secirity tax, Town tax, Property tax, and sales tax I pay something like 45 - 50% of my income in tax, plus I still pay taxes on all utilities and gas I put in my car.

    They can't let me have internet and VoIP without paying taxes on that too?

    --
    Saying Java is nice because it works on all OS's is like saying that anal sex is nice because it works on all genders.
  3. Cleptocracy is not progressive! by hanssprudel · · Score: 5, Insightful

    local and state governments are going to lose more and more funding for important services like 911 and Universal Service.

    Almost everybody agrees that 911 service is necessary, but it is far from obvious why this cannot be paid for by properly visible government spending, rather then trying to sneak it in like a backdoor tax on a specific service. Governments love to add little taxes here and there so as to make it opaque how much they are actually spending, leading a government with it's fingers everywhere hindering progress with useless regulation aimed only at preserving dying industries and the revenue government derives from them. Which is exactly what our "progressive" friend is saying should happen to VoIP.

    As for Universal Service, give me a break. People who live in rural areas don't pay special taxes so that I can get clean air, silence, and nice natural surroundings in the middle of the city. Why the hell should they? After all I chose to live here, which it's upsides (like 8 megabit broadband to the apartment) and its downsides. The same goes for people who want to live in rural areas: they chose to live where they do, and that means taking the benefits as well as the consquences, instead of crying that others should have to pay for your luxuries.

    Perhaps one day when I am older I will begin to understand how a human mind can work that calls itself progressive, and then attacks progress because it might get in the way large governments clectrocractic systems. I certainly don't now...

  4. Re:911 sucks by nomadic · · Score: 5, Insightful

    Think that was bad? Someone broke into my house.

    No, I don't think that's worse than the guy who got shot. Sorry.