Written By Jan Windglows, Ray Meseroll & James Morgan
Since the Internet is a virtually untapped financial resource that's pretty much looked at as unregulated national and global communication network, that produces both a positive and negative influence in the world, I believe that we should take a closer look at it over all as a resolution to a good many issues that currently exist in this country and all around the world.
As I've suggested in previous post, This medium of Internet in the private sector should be regulated by the governmental agencies in question. Why should this occur? In a effort to to take something that that normally works against the governing bodies and over all Internets Users at times, and making it work for everyone concerned in the end result.
In my previous posts, I've vaguely laid out a plan that would address a good many issues that impede economic growth both on on a nationally and internationally level such as: Unemployment, National Security, Federal and State Generated Revenue, Consumer taxes, Health Care, Displacement of State and Federal Taxes, Terrorism, and a few other topics of concern.
Let's start with a way and preexisting agency here in this Country called the F.C.C. that's been in place in the government structure for a number of years that can further be cleaned up and empowered to both enact, and enforce this over all proposal, or resolution to most of the problems at hand.
Since the Internet is unregulated, and it seemingly a free for all currently, the F.C.C. Could in fact, retain the powers it had back ion the seventies concerning the issuing of a mandatory program that required a two or three step program that required individuals to take a communication class, or classes to acquire a state and federal set of licenses that in turn, produced a call number assigned to each person upon completion of the program.
That would be registered with the federal, state and local municipal governing bodies that would in fact, get a handle on several things that are not beneficial to either the Internet or its Users. Now, the great thing about this would be in that theses governing bodies in question would generate positive revenue through these programs.
This would in turn, allow these same bodies of government to not only support themselves, but experience a employment increase on the federal, state, county and city levels as vast number of people would be needed to operate these programs within a structured system.
So, were looking at the generation of governmental income through a special annual taxes attached to each program and license issued by the governmental body, plus a increase in employment that would address the unemployment problem we have in this country to some degree depending on the model and what level it was taken to, or in which way it was directed to resolve a certain national or state issue.
Through the generated monies coming from these programs and licensees, the governing bodies could apply these additional monies in not only running the local governments, but in paying down their local and National deficits.
By instituting this type of system, the governing bodies could get a handle on what occurs criminally over the Internet as they would have the personal ID numbers that would not only tell them who an operator was, but where they were located.
Of course, when people know that their being watched then they tend to be on their best behavior and stay within the realms of ethics, or a prescribed code of conduct put forth by the regulating agency to which would be the F.C.C.
As mentioned in the previous post, there wouldn’t be a need for anonymity on the Internet as all request for investigation against any organization or agency would be filed and conducted through state or federal agencies.
Again, as stated, the F.C.C. Scope of activities of regulation wouldn't effect free speech or the first amendment in any way as posting persons could exercise their right to free speech however, they would be held accountable for their statements in a court of law should the specific situation demand this.
I believe, that through the use of the F.C.C., we could not only stop Internet Terrorism in this country , or home grown terrorism, but the abuse of free speech protected under the first amendment, along with putting the whistle blowers, or anonymity act back in their initial guidelines, and so on.
The Internet can be considered a vast resource to any government today concerning additional sources of revenue as most businesses are gravitating to the Internet these days simply because the overhead is low and the profit take in is high. Also, In order to keep jobs in their perspective Countries, the informational and service outsourcing would have to be addressed to keep those jobs in the Countries in question.
Government Incentives could be offered to the Company in the way of a stimulus package promoting incentives to hire through tax breaks, and in offering on line employees an affordable, but privatized set of health care planes.
And so, we could approach and resolve the important issues of Internet security, national security, Internet regulation, the first amendment and Anonymity, health care, national deficit, unemployment and employment stimulus to on line businesses, amongst other things.
As far as the main brunt of mandatory state and federal taxes go, I would say that taxes on all levels could be reduced for the most part as in this plan, or as a result of this model, we would be displacing some of these taxes away from the mandatory status to something like a luxury tax, or federal communication tax.
This is likened to a tax that might be put on tobacco or alcohol, food and gas tax however, people would have a choice in if they wanted to be on the Internet or not and thus exempting them from the tax, Or in what way they would choose to be on the Internet be it professionally or as a private User Consumer etc.
Basically if it was constructed correctly, the general Consumer could experience a lower tax rate, or reduced taxes over all, as these taxes normally paid to state and federal could be displaced and picked up in licensing taxes under a luxury tax. Again, reduced taxes for the general American public, tax incentives for the businesses and lower taxes for Internet users via paying the yearly Internet luxury tax.
The folks that decided to open up on-line businesses could experience less taxes as well, should they take part in stimulus programs offered by the government in generating employment and affordable health programs through a Company structure.
Again, if a program such as this could be set up correctly and processed through a few state and federal agencies, not only would the federal government make a lot of revenue, but so would the states. As I've said before, a smart government could take this suggestion and run with it into many different areas that would not only serve the American public, but the over all government as a whole.
The American government would have to update, or refine some of the older laws along with creating some new ones in dealing on line businesses across the board from that cooperate to the basic L.L.C. Level, but it would be worth it as everyone on every would benefit.
So in essence, even though many wouldn’t condone these suggestions, I feel that it would effectively address some of the issues that seems to be on everyone's mind today however, if properly thought out, elaborated on and put into action, it should diminish taxes, create employment while generating revenue to the government and states.
I just think that the Internet is a resource that everyone should benefit off of including other Countries, and that it should be a safe place for all peoples, don't you agree? The thing about regulating the Internet is that not only could we have a safer place for businesses, but a place in which the global merchant and Consumer could benefit from along with the governments that represent them.
Business regulation it also key, as many businesses on the Internet actually aren’t legal in a good many respects and only serve to rip off the Consumer and thus, a clear outline of what a business should be must be along with a clear and decisive code of ethical conduct must be present and enforced.
On line businesses, should be made to answer for any unethical conduct carried out against the Consumer or another company and moreover, any issued businesses licenses should be current and up to par. The Internet is a vast, complex and wondrous place and a place that can be used to serve all concerned yet, reform and regulation are collectively needed in ensuring that it is a benefit to everyone.
I often tell people that you have two types of situations that effect us in life the first of which would be, those things that work for us and those things that work against us, and that the key to happiness is in taking those things that work in our interest and enjoy them while taking those things that sometimes work against us, and in finding a way to make them work for us and hence, the Internet is no exception to the rule.
Yes, The Internet is a rather complex place yet, the sky is the limit in what we can do with it, we can either permit it to be the place full of hate and encouraged violence, or we can make it a peaceful place of enjoyment and learning, to which it once was before the undesirable element took it over.
It can, be a place full of honesty and ethics, or it can be a unlawful place that one enters at their own risk. It can be a place where deputes are resolved in a mutual way, or it can be a place that destroys lives by the hundreds of thousands. Again, it can be a place that positive capitalism for everyone or just for the ones who all ready have the money and hence, it's really up to everyone in the world in what they want the Internet to be.
To further extrapolate in other areas that could be utilized in growing the economy would be as follows: I think that the carriers...cell,cable,etc.. that provide Internet services should be made to pay a fee to the government; a licensing of sorts, to allow them to operate as Internet providers, if this is not all ready occurring.
That every device manufacturer...cell, computer, pad, pod, etc..should pay a $2.00 per unit produced fee and that each unit produced should be cataloged I.e...serial numbers documented and registered to the owners (this can be accomplished at time and place of purchase) .
Internet cafes,as well as restaurants and other public venues that supply access should pay a predetermined premium annually to allow them to provide those services. The general public should have a licensing and registration process ..such as amateur radio operators currently have that would include a training course and licensing for Internet access and use.
These compiled scenarios can bring much revenue in to the government resources and this should be done in such a way as to insure that said revenues went to address issues that are geared to improving our infrastructure.
The F.C.C. could effectively regulate the search engines through licensing and codes of conduct, and that of the foreign engines coming into the Country as well. Many aspects of this proposal may sound unappealing, or in leaving room for abuse by the governing powers however, legislation would have to be in place to prevent government agencies from doing this.
The fact of the matter is we have to do something in finding additional revenue resources least the government will tax us to death on items of necessity plus the fact, that the Internet will eventually grow out of control in a good many respects.
Of course, there are down sides to proposals such as this but the alternatives that we currently face are far worse. The suggestions mentioned could make up a good system that every nation could benefit from however, the dangers still exist in those countries where corruption runes ramped but there again, these same countries all ready negatively hinder the Internet as it stands.
|