The IT Interstate System

Federalism has had a long and storied history on our country. In fact, the roots of Federalism provides us with a great benchmark for what our government should provide to its citizens. Without Federalism, we would be nothing more that a loose confederacy with no guiding light, no defense, or no public infrastructure from sea to shinning sea. Like the defense of our country, a strong banking system and National Treasury, and like roads, bridges and rail services spanning across our country, the Internet and the ability of our citizens to obtain the service has become an important public infrastructure.

In a recent statement by Kansas Senator Pat Roberts he opined the following words, "High-speed Internet access is as important to rural communities today as interstate highways were in the twentieth century, and railroads in the nineteenth century. If we are to close the digital divide we need a comprehensive approach that effectively targets rural America."

There is way to much pork in spending these days, but it is good to see a Senator that still embraces and understands the principles of Federalism and its relation to current history. The Senator is right. The Internet and communication platforms to operate such systems are a very important step not only for Kansas but all of America. Eisenhower brought the idea of the Interstate System across the plains in the 1950’s, now Roberts is helping to bring the Internet System across the plains today.