Natural Monopolies. Such things as Water, Electricity, Phones, Sewage Systems. These things are usually best served by one company. Can you imagine if we had three sewer lines under our homes, and they were all managed by three different companies? Of course they are trying to deregulate the electricity, company A will generate is and keep up the power lines, and then companies B, C, and D will all have the ability to sell it to the highest bidder.
BUT, do you remember what happened in August? A power failure. Do you think it was caused by deregulation? Perhaps. A small story for you... before deregulation, power generated in Rochester, was used by Rochestarians. Same went for all cities really. Of course if we had extra power, we'd sell it to Buffalo or Syracuse, nearby towns. We are all connected on the same power grid, so of course its easy to send the power over to Buffalo no problem.
Now along comes Mr. Deregulation. He says that I can buy power from RG&E, then sell it to California for an extremely high price, since they dont have enough. Now I send my power from Rochester, to San Fran. That is a long, long way! And all the other deregulated companies are doing the same thing. Of course there is still only one power grid right? A is shipping to B, C is to D, etc etc... the power lines are overloaded, and start sagging, and pop. A blackout.
If deregulation is going to continue, we need to find a way to ship power from Rochester, to SF. Which probably means building several redundant power highways. Or linking them together through super computers to control it. Something...
Anywho... this is not the point of my blog today. I wanted to chat about the same principle. High speed internet. DSL and Cable are great, but the time is fastly approaching when that isnt fast enough. How do we get faster connections? Its called fiber optics. Now do you think its best for our local cable and telephone companies to build separate networks? Add in the wireless department Verizon, and Sprint, each running around building more towers? Add on top of that satellite connections? Why not create a Natural Monopoly for the Fiber Optic networks that will come? Its basically just like the sewers right? We all chip in a small fee (taxes) and we get internet access.
posted by Bryan at 12/04/2003 08:31:00 AM
George Carlin's wife recently passed away. He wrote the following piece.
Typically sharp and some good advice.
by George Carlin
The paradox of our time in history is that we have taller buildings but
shorter tempers, wider freeways, but narrower viewpoints. We spend more,
but have less, we buy more, but enjoy less. We have bigger houses and
smaller families, more conveniences, but less time. We have more degrees
but less sense, more knowledge, but less judgment, more experts, yet more
problems, more medicine, but less wellness. We drink too much, smoke too
much, spend too recklessly, laugh too little, drive too fast, get too
angry, stay up too late, get up too tired, read too little, watch TV too
much, and pray too seldom.
We have multiplied our possessions, but reduced our values. We talk too
much, love too seldom, and hate too often. We've learned how to make a
living, but not a life. We've added years to life not life to years. We've
been all the way to the moon and back, but have trouble crossing the
street to meet a new neighbor. We conquered outer space but not inner
space. We've done larger things, but not better things. We've cleaned up
the air, but polluted the soul. We've conquered the atom, but not our
prejudice. We write more, but learn less. We plan more, but accomplish
less. We've learned to rush, but not to wait. We build more computers to
hold more information, to produce more copies than ever, but we
communicate less and less.
These are the times of fast foods and slow digestion, big men and small
character, steep profits and shallow relationships. These are the days of
two incomes but more divorce, fancier houses, but broken homes. These are
days of quick trips, disposable diapers, throwaway morality, one night
stands, overweight bodies, and pills that do everything from cheer, to
quiet, to kill. It is a time when there is much in the showroom window and
nothing in the stockroom. A time when technology can bring this letter to
you, and a time when you can choose either to share this insight, or to
just hit delete.
Remember, spend some time with your loved ones, because they are not going
to be around forever. Remember, say a kind word to someone who looks up to
you in awe, because that little person soon will grow up and leave your
side. Remember, to give a warm hug to the one next to you, because that is
the only treasure you can give with your heart and it doesn't cost a cent.
Remember, to say, "I love you" to your partner and your loved ones, but
most of all, mean it. A kiss and an embrace will mend hurt when it comes
from deep inside of you. Remember to hold hands and cherish the moment for
someday that person will not be there again. Give time to love, give time
to speak, and give time to share the precious thoughts in your mind.
HOW TO STAY YOUNG
1. Throw out nonessential numbers. This includes age, weight and
height. Let the doctor worry about them. That is why you pay him/her.
2. Keep only cheerful friends. The grouches pull you down.
3. Keep learning. Learn more about the computer, crafts, gardening,
whatever. Never let the brain idle."An idle mind is the devil's
workshop." And the devil's name is Alzheimer's.
4. Enjoy the simple things.
5. Laugh often, long and loud. Laugh until you gasp for breath.
6. The tears happen. Endure, grieve, and move on. The only person who
is with us our entire life, is ourselves. Be ALIVE while you are alive.
7. Surround yourself with what you love, whether it's family, pets,
keepsakes, music, plants,and hobbies, whatever. Your home is your refuge.
8. Cherish your health: If it is good, preserve it. If it is
unstable, improve it. If it is beyond what you can improve, get help.
9. Don't take guilt trips. Take a trip to the mall, to the next
county, to a foreign country, but NOT to where the guilt is.
10. Tell the people you love that you love them, at every opportunity.
AND ALWAYS REMEMBER: Life is not measured by the number of breaths we
take, but by the moments that take our breath away. If you don't send this
to at least 8 people....who cares? -George Carlin
posted by Bryan at 12/03/2003 09:09:00 AM
