On Sun, 2003-12-28 at 23:12, Michael Hallager wrote:
I can supply a high speed reliable wireless connection to any of six local schools, at a speed that exceeds "broadband" at a price far cheaper and a level of service far better, then any government scheme can.
Whether I wish to put up with teachers and BOT's left wing stance that I owe it to them... for free (Almost)... is another matter.
left or right wing doesn't enter into it. No commercial enterprise
should be expected to "subsidise" schools, or any other public
organisation through concessionary pricing without compensation.
That's why I primarily suggested that taxpayers do it for themselves -
and seek whatever level of "profit" makes sense.
As Richard Naylor said: Do it yourself. Like the CityLink fibre around
Wellington and the Wellington City Council (originally).
For public services, the fact of the provision of the service is usually
all the 'profit' that is required. We have a relatively safe and ordered
society because the police and the courts are there to enforce the law.
We do not seek to make a profit on them - or recover costs.
That isn't socialism....it's actually a question similar to asking how
much you pay yourself to go to the toilet.
You don't. You just do it because as far as you're concerned it needs
doing.
There is no reason why the same cannot apply to the provision of a
public network - like roading in the physical realm.
--
Steve Withers