Government-sponsored monopolies = Big mistake!

(This Letter to the Editor was submitted to the Opelika-Auburn News on 4 April 2006 in response to this editorial.)

Dear Editor,

The 29 March staff editorial entitled, "City-sponsored wireless Web a good idea" advocates an idea that certainly appeals to many forward-thinking people in Auburn. Of course the idea of internet-access-for-all is attractive, just like 100% literacy, an end to hunger, and free energy. Unfortunately, the proposed policy would simply benefit some citizens at the expense of others while making only nominal progress towards broader connectivity amongst the citizenry.

Your paper's position on this issue is that the city should effectively establish a local, city-ordained, taxpayer-funded monopoly on internet services for a particular service provider (ISP). While the problems with this may not be immediately obvious, they are apparent to anyone who considers the economic impact of such a policy. After all, this is not a "free" service, only one that taxpayers rather than consumers will pay for and one that consumers will not be able to choose. Any individuals who have different usage needs than what are provided for by the city service would be forced to pay for their own needs as well as the city service. What about people with no computer at all? They'll be helping to pick up the tab for the rest of us.

This city-wide monopoly would necessarily entail the coronation of one ISP at the expense of all the others. Why shouldn't our city's residents decide for themselves which company is bringing the best service to market? How will we recover if our well-meaning city officials choose the wrong technology when building infrastructure? If this chosen technology loses favor in the larger market, the City of Auburn could be encumbered with an antiquated system and lots of sunk costs. Let's allow businesses to innovate, let's let consumers make their own choices, and let's get government out of the way!

Dick Clark
Candidate, Alabama House of Representatives, District 79
www.CitizenClark.com