Last we
heard, President Barack Obama said today that he respected the differences Republicans have with his economic stimulus package – but called for politics to be set aside.
“The key right now is to make sure that we keep politics to a minimum,” Obama reportedly told the press after meeting Congressional Republicans. “There are some legitimate philosophical differences with parts of my plan that the Republicans have and I respect that. In some cases they may just not be as familiar with what is in the package as I would like.”
Of course, the telecommunications industry is heatedly watching the stimulus proposal’s progress. Some Republicans
say it isn’t clear how initiatives contained therein, such as Obama’s national broadband deployment plan, will create jobs and shore this economy.
Here at TMCnet, a clash of the titans is underway, as company President Rich Tehrani (
News -
Alert) and Vice President and CTO Tom Keating
sound off on the issue.
Today the IIA’s cause is being taken up by 117 chief executive officers and business leaders who say in a
letter to representatives in the Capitol that digital infrastructure a vital part of America’s economic recovery.
The letter – addressed to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell and House Republican Leader John Boehner – says that investments in America’s digital infrastructure will spur job creation in the immediate term.
“An investment of $40 billion in America’s IT network infrastructure in 2009 will create more than 949,000 U.S. jobs, more than half of which will be in small businesses,” part of the letter reads.
The letter acknowledges the formidable task that Obama and Congress face, in restoring the nation’s confidence and encouraging the innovation, risk-taking and entrepreneurship needed to get the United States moving again.
“An investment of $40 billion, which we believe is a critical starting point, also promises to increase productivity and competitiveness over the long-term,” the letter reads. “Information and communications-enabled technologies improve energy efficiency, help doctors save lives and money in health care, catalyze new business models and entrepreneurs, enable educational improvements and empower individuals to take more control over their lives.”
Congress has its hands full with considerations from the IT and telecom industries.
As TMCnet reported
today, the Senate has voted to postpone the widely anticipated switch from analog to digital TV broadcasting by four months, and the House today could pass a proposal to put the transition off until June 12.
Don’t forget to check out TMCnet’s White Paper Library, which provides a selection of in-depth information on relevant topics affecting the IP Communications industry. The library offers white papers, case studies and other documents which are free to registered users.
Michael Dinan is a contributing editor for TMCnet, covering news in the IP communications, call center and customer relationship management industries. To read more of Michael's articles, please visit his columnist page.Edited by
Michael Dinan
