Who Has Got IT Covered? (The Obama and McCain ICT Agenda)

(First of Three Parts)

It is just America who shall be voting for their next President, but it is the world which is about to welcome its most powerful man. As it has been in this generation, American politics is everyone’s business, as America is known to claim everyone’s business as its own.

IT's High Time

Finally ending the war in Middle East may, concededly, be the most important concern of any peace-loving nation at this point, but technology as a policy would probably be one of the most indispensable components of the political platform of any American-President wannabe.

Technology Analyst and Consultant Kevin Werbach could not overemphasize “how much technology matters in the global economy of the 21st century” and how it will inevitably affect economic growth.[1]

Laying IT on the Table

As early as the last quarter of 2007, Republican Barack Obama released his Comprehensive Technology Agenda, recognizing the need of the American economy to be able to compete in the Digital Age, and actively undertaking to “lay down broadband lines through the heart of inner cities and rural towns all across America.”[2]

Meanwhile, Democrat John McCain comes up with his own agenda during the third quarter of this year, acknowledging how “Nurturing technology and innovation is essential for solving the critical problems facing (America).”[3]

The table below contains the outlines both Technology Agenda, as lifted in verbatim from their websites.

Obama’s “Comprehensive Technology Agenda”[4]

McCain’s Technology Agenda[5]

I. Ensure an open internet. A. Protect the Openness of the Internet B. Encourage Diversity in Media Ownership C. Protect Children While Preserving the First Amendment[6] D. Safeguard the Right to Privacy II. Create a transparent and connected democracy. A. Open Up Government to the Citizens B. Bring the Government to the 21st Century III. Encourage a modern communications infrastructure: Develop Next-Generation Broadband IV. Employ technology to solve America's most pressing problems. A. Lower Health Care Costs by Investing in Electronic Information Technology Systems B. Invest in Climate-Friendly Energy Development and Deployment C. Upgrade Education to Meet the Needs of the 21st Century D. Create New Jobs E. Modernize Public Safety Networks V. Improve America's competitiveness. A. Invest in the Sciences B. Make the R&D Tax Credit Permanent C. Reform Immigration D. Promote American Business Abroad E. Ensure Competitive Markets F. Protect Intellectual Property at Home G. Reform the Patent System

I. Encourage investment in innovation. A. Support Risk Capital for Investment in American Innovation B. No Tax on Innovation by Keeping Capital Gains Taxes Low C. Reform And Make Permanent The R&D Tax Credit D. Lower the Corporate Tax Rate To 25 Percent To Retain Investment In U.S. Technologies E. Allow First-Year Expensing Of New Equipment And Technology F. Ensure Technology And Innovation Is Not Hampered By Taxes On Internet Users G. Oppose Higher Taxes On Wireless Services II. Develop a skilled work force. A. Educate Its Workforce For The Innovation Age B. Fill Critical Shortages Of Skilled Workers To Remain Competitive III. Champion open and fair trade. A. Support Fair And Open World Trade B. Competition as a Great Strength for America C. Protect The Creative Industries From Piracy IV. Reform intellectual property protection. A. Greater Resources For The Patent Office B. Pursue Protection Of Intellectual Property Around The Globe C. Provide Alternative Approaches To Resolving Patent Challenges V. Keep the Internet and entrepreneurs free of unnecessary regulation. A. Preserve Consumer Freedoms B. Regulate Where Such is Warranted VI. Ensure a fully connected citizenry. A. Pursuit of High-Speed Internet Access for All Americans B. Priority on Science and Technology Experience C. Leadership by Example D. Federal Government as an Innovator E. Participation of All Citizens in the Technology Revolution

To be continued...

(for the week 31 August to 06 September 2008)

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[1] “Note to John McCain: Technology Matters (http://www.circleid.com/posts/871812_note_john_mccain_technology_matters/)

[2] “Technology and Innovation for a New Generation” (http://www.barackobama.com/issues/technology)

[3] http://www.johnmccain.com/Informing/Issues/cbcd3a48-4b0e-4864-8be1-d04561c132ea.htm

[4] ibid

[5] ibid

[6] The First Amendment to the United States Constitution is part of the United States Bill of Rights that expressly prohibits the United States Congress from making laws "respecting an establishment of religion" (the Establishment Clause) or that prohibit the free exercise of religion (the Free Exercise Clause), laws that infringe the freedom of speech, infringe the freedom of the press, limit the right to peaceably assemble, or limit the right to petition the government for a redress of grievances. (www.wikipedia.org)