Digital Literacy: Technology Issues

There are several technology issues that have been addressed by the presidential candidates of ’08 and play an important part in the election. The first and foremost is something most people use every day: the internet. To both candidates, the internet should “connect citizens with each other to engage them more fully and directly in solving the problems that face us,” (barackobama.com) and be “connecting our citizens to a world-class network,” (johnmccain.com). Jon McCain wants to provide a source of broadband internet when other companies do not, and he also wants to keep the internet open and free, without any government interference and keep “maintaining the vibrancy of the Internet economy.” Barack Obama also wants to support the openness of the internet and allow citizens access to broadband and wireless inside their houses.
Another issue pertaining to the internet is network neutrality, which means it would “level the playing field for Internet Transport” which has been in place since the internet started and would charge large sites for more traffic. Barack Obama supports it, while John McCain does not. Another technology issue would be the use of technology in transportation. Both candidates want to fully implement the technological resources at hand and use them to help solve all crises, including “developing alternative fuels, addressing climate change, stopping the spiraling expense of health care, and better educating our children,” (johnmccain.com). Also, both candidates want to use the internet to improve global commerce, trading internationally without being undercut.