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Where they stand on technology
by Michelle Roy; Staff writer -
November 2001

The United States Federal Election is next week and if you are still undecided, then perhaps looking at where the candidates stand on Internet and Technology related issues will help you as you prepare to check the ballot box. If you've registered a domain name (or even thought about it), if you've built a website, if you use email, then you already know what the Internet can do for you today. George W. Bush and Al Gore both have plans in place to help technology and the Internet grow into tomorrow. But let's forget the political jargon. Let's forget the big words, the metaphors, and "high school debating tricks".

Both Republican Candidate George W. Bush, and Democratic Candidate Al Gore have similar Internet/Technology platforms. Both agree that the Internet should be a duty-free zone (a very important issue if you sell or plan to sell goods/services over the Internet). Both agree that it is necessary to have computers in the classroom and to provide people with affordable Internet access (which is very important if you have children, live in a rural area, cannot afford Internet Access etc.). Both men seem to understand the importance the Internet has (and will have) on America's (and the economy's) future.

George W. Bush wants to see the Internet flourish, and he wants to change the way business is done over the Internet both locally and internationally. He promises to raise the cap on H1-B visas for temporary, high-skilled workers. Gore supported the initial legislation allowing high-skilled people into the United States workforce. Though some may think this takes jobs away from Americans, both men see the need and value having skilled workers has on the American economy.

Al Gore believes that governments should refrain from imposing new and unnecessary regulations, bureaucratic procedures, or new taxes and tariffs on commercial activities that take place on the Internet. There have been rumors abound that there could be an eventual user fee or dial-up tax. According to Al Gore, this is just a rumor.

George W. Bush promises that he will work towards making the Internet a duty and tariff-free zone worldwide, will fight to tear down non-tariff barriers to trade in information technology, and will promote the development of internationally compatible e-commerce standards. His plans are to make it easier for Americans (and world citizens) to run an online business both locally, and worldwide.

The Clinton Administration approved an act called "The Internet Tax Freedom Act". This Act placed a temporary moratorium on Internet taxes and created the Internet Tax Commission that is currently studying the issue. George W. Bush (the candidate that thinks too much gets done in Washington, that there are too many commissions and studies, and that Washington needs to get smaller) calls for an extension of the moratorium by up to five years. Once again, both candidates support an Internet tax moratorium because it makes the Internet easier and more accessible (only they go about their support in different ways. Any disagreement on this issue seems to be ideological and not principle-based).

Both Gore and Bush would like to improve the way the Internet is used in schools in order to produce the kinds of students that will succeed in a growing technological world. Al Gore proposes enhanced teacher training in technology, new educational software for all schools, and a carefully screened volunteer of online tutors and mentors. He promises to make every effort to ensure affordable Internet access in order to avoid what he calls the "digital divide". He also promises to work hard to see that Internet Access is provided to rural classrooms, clinics, and libraries.

George W. Bush promises to boost student achievement and strengthen math and science education (a foundation for computer literacy). He has proposed creating a flexible $3 billion fund to integrate technology in schools and libraries, and $400 million in new money to help ensure that technology is boosting student achievement. He also promises to invest $400 million to create and maintain more than 2,000 community technology centers every year that will provide free Internet Access, computer literacy training, and professional skills development.

Looking at the information, both Al Gore and George W. Bush have similar goals for the Internet and Technology in America. As with his entire campaign, George W. Bush strives to convey the message that Government needs to be smaller, needs to lend a helping hand rather than a forceful one. His views towards the Internet have that same solid grain: let Americans do business over the Net, and let us provide the tools to educate the future generation in technology systems. For Gore, the message is about continuing something that he believes his administration started. For him, government is a big part of Internet and New Technology and as is the case with the tax moratorium, will set up commissions to study conceivable ideas. But, there is more to this issue than what they plan to do in the future. What have they done in the past?

According to the Official Web Site of George W. Bush, "hard-working entrepreneurs created the New Economy, not government." Under George W. Bush, Texas leads the nation in high-tech job growth. This shows that he can create an environment that encourages innovation, rewards risk taking, and one in which entrepreneurs flourish.

We can't write about Al Gore's history with the Internet and Technology without mentioning his infamous quotation "during my service in the United States Congress, I took the initiative in creating the Internet". The media had a fun ride with this one. And rightly so. Al Gore did not "create" the Internet. The first step in the creation of the Internet was called ARPANET and was designed in 1967, and built in 1969. By the time Gore entered Congress, file copying had started, people were emailing, and the culture of the Internet was beginning to develop. Creating the Internet was not Gore's idea, and certainly Gore was not the mastermind behind the innovation.

However, Gore has played an important part in promoting the Internet and New Technology. In 1990, Gore introduced a bill that would allow the government to enter the business of crafting software for teachers to use. Another of his plans was to create a new federal research center for educational computing to support an "information systems highway" (information super highway is a term coined by Gore). But the actual development of the Internet resembles less a government-managed project as envisioned by Gore, than the commercial entity (the hard-working entrepreneurs who as Bush say helped create the New Economy) it has become.

The choice is clearly yours. Bush has a comprehensive plan to make sure government is an ally of high-tech companies as they (the companies) work to create jobs and keep competitive in an International economy. Since 1993, Gore has become one of the most prominent people in the Clinton administration on issues related to high technology. He plans to continue this role.

In the third presidential debate, they were relayed a question by an elementary school class on whether or not they will keep their promises. That's the biggest question. Who can we trust more?!

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