In 2024, reliable access to high-speed internet is no longer a luxury; it is a basic necessity. From job applications to managing personal finances and completing school work, internet access is an essential part of daily life. Without an internet connection, individuals are effectively cut off from basic societal activities.
Mike Johnson changed his vote on aid for Ukraine after the head of the Southern Baptist Church asked him to reconsider his position because Ukraine has suffered the demolition of hundreds of Christian churches because of Putin and Russian Orthodox leader archbishop Kiril. So, Johnson will put his religion over Trump, but not over the Christian position of caring for the poor. Christianity's values are the opposite of the Republican agenda. Popular Information highlights to what extent the Republican agenda disparages the poor. "The RSC is the "conservative caucus" of the House GOP, and counts 179 of the 217 Republicans in the House as members." Johnson used his power to lead this group--so he is NOT to be trusted. Therefore there is NO reason to help Johnson keep his position as Speaker of the House. Hail Hakeem Jeffreys!
Thank you Judd for this deep dive into a subject so important to our economy and our country. I trust you to expose the truth about subjects that deserve examination and publicity. [I doubt that most people knew the depths of this problem--now people can be better informed.]
This is a travesty. Another example of the GOP to control information, dumb down the public and hurt minorities, the elderly and other groups. National debt grows for the sake of big business and the wealthy's tax cuts, while the likes of Weasel Mike Johnson fail to help the American people with the Internet.Why? Because the GOP says this aid deincentives the poorer folk to achieve prosperity.
"Popular Information contacted all of these members and asked why they supported a budget that eliminates the ACP while co-sponsoring legislation extending ACP."
Nobody but NOBODY plays both ends against the middle like these GD criminal grifting rotten misanthropes.
I will be one of those households losing that benefit tomorrow. My provider at least will let me stay on that program for $30 without any extra fees. Yes it’s “only” $30 but it’s a lot of money for us. I hope they’ll quickly and permanently reauthorize it in winter 2025. Sigh. Before this program I had no internet at all. And it is the same as SNAP, the money spent on this is a lot more beneficial than withholding it. Sigh.
Thank you, I just looked up the summary of this book, very apt for this discussion. Hakeem Jeffreys is so close to becoming Speaker of the House--can you imagine the many differences in our laws that would occur? Now, how to inform the voting public how "what seemed better financially under Trump" (price of groceries, gasoline, rents...) had nothing to do with his governance, and that Biden's economics are working--but have to work against corporate price gouging. We need good new laws against corporate greed.
thanks for reporting this....the GOP wants to give $$$$ in tax cuts to billionaires who dont need it but not to average americans who need high speed internet access to survive. is anyone really surprised theyre doing this ?
I would be very interested to know whether and to what degree the involvement of telecom companies has a bearing on this refusal to hold a vote. It's not necessarily the case, and this could be purely ideological, but a large part of me wonders what would happen if we followed the money.
The ACP doesn't cost the telecoms anything. The government is basically paying the bill for them- it's free subscriber growth. If anything the telecoms would be lobbying for the extension or they may have to report higher churn in Q2.
For every person directly affected, many are affected by the ripples. If a child is living with their grandparent and no longer has internet bc their guardian is a veteran, or living in poverty, that child will no longer have access to internet at home. That child is failing in school. Ad nauseum.
Disabled Veteran Retiree (NAVY) & getting more & more used to the ‘treatment’ - the apathy is and has been readily apparent. Healthcare is broken for everyone. “Dobbie the House Elf” will not be coming to anyone’s rescue, certainly not for the popular ACP program. Pathetic!!
Somewhat meta, but I'm disappointed to see you using ChatGPT generated art, given that the product is built on a foundation of stolen IP. You're indirectly ripping off all the artists whose work was stolen to train the underlying model. It feels extremely out-of-line of the values I thought were behind Popular Information.
What do we do about this? I used to think that if people only knew (low information voters) they would be outraged and they would vote the bums out. The operative words are “used to think” . Recently I have I have begun to think that very few people care about the things all of us readers of this Substack do. Their brains have been turned to cream cheese by the barrage of garbage they are fed.
Mike Johnson changed his vote on aid for Ukraine after the head of the Southern Baptist Church asked him to reconsider his position because Ukraine has suffered the demolition of hundreds of Christian churches because of Putin and Russian Orthodox leader archbishop Kiril. So, Johnson will put his religion over Trump, but not over the Christian position of caring for the poor. Christianity's values are the opposite of the Republican agenda. Popular Information highlights to what extent the Republican agenda disparages the poor. "The RSC is the "conservative caucus" of the House GOP, and counts 179 of the 217 Republicans in the House as members." Johnson used his power to lead this group--so he is NOT to be trusted. Therefore there is NO reason to help Johnson keep his position as Speaker of the House. Hail Hakeem Jeffreys!
Thank you Judd for this deep dive into a subject so important to our economy and our country. I trust you to expose the truth about subjects that deserve examination and publicity. [I doubt that most people knew the depths of this problem--now people can be better informed.]
Oops, a reply to myself: Dems want to protect Mike Johnson because having no Speaker of the House harms us maybe more than it does "them."
This is a travesty. Another example of the GOP to control information, dumb down the public and hurt minorities, the elderly and other groups. National debt grows for the sake of big business and the wealthy's tax cuts, while the likes of Weasel Mike Johnson fail to help the American people with the Internet.Why? Because the GOP says this aid deincentives the poorer folk to achieve prosperity.
*Tornadoes by the way your story says hurricanes.
think they are quoting the spokesperson?
"Popular Information contacted all of these members and asked why they supported a budget that eliminates the ACP while co-sponsoring legislation extending ACP."
Nobody but NOBODY plays both ends against the middle like these GD criminal grifting rotten misanthropes.
I will be one of those households losing that benefit tomorrow. My provider at least will let me stay on that program for $30 without any extra fees. Yes it’s “only” $30 but it’s a lot of money for us. I hope they’ll quickly and permanently reauthorize it in winter 2025. Sigh. Before this program I had no internet at all. And it is the same as SNAP, the money spent on this is a lot more beneficial than withholding it. Sigh.
This is the Tyranny of the Minority - Levitsky/Ziblatt.
The entirety of conservative leadership is now in on the conspiracy to end America.
ALL OF THEM.
Thank you, I just looked up the summary of this book, very apt for this discussion. Hakeem Jeffreys is so close to becoming Speaker of the House--can you imagine the many differences in our laws that would occur? Now, how to inform the voting public how "what seemed better financially under Trump" (price of groceries, gasoline, rents...) had nothing to do with his governance, and that Biden's economics are working--but have to work against corporate price gouging. We need good new laws against corporate greed.
This is why they must all be voted out of office.
225 co-sponsors > 218 needed for a discharge petition. Just do it.
thanks for reporting this....the GOP wants to give $$$$ in tax cuts to billionaires who dont need it but not to average americans who need high speed internet access to survive. is anyone really surprised theyre doing this ?
Nothing says hypocrisy like G-O-P.
I would be very interested to know whether and to what degree the involvement of telecom companies has a bearing on this refusal to hold a vote. It's not necessarily the case, and this could be purely ideological, but a large part of me wonders what would happen if we followed the money.
The ACP doesn't cost the telecoms anything. The government is basically paying the bill for them- it's free subscriber growth. If anything the telecoms would be lobbying for the extension or they may have to report higher churn in Q2.
Full disclosure, I work for a telecom.
Spoken like a true bloodhound - good for you! Flip on the light, the critters scurry.
Good reporting, but a minor issue: there are no hurricanes in landlocked Nebraska. You might be referring to the recent tornadoes.
quoting the spokesperson?
Right. And maybe a (sic) or something would emphasize their mistake.
Unless you’re low income, a senior, a veteran or living on SSI or SSDI this probably doesn’t effect you, but it really impacts you if you are.
For every person directly affected, many are affected by the ripples. If a child is living with their grandparent and no longer has internet bc their guardian is a veteran, or living in poverty, that child will no longer have access to internet at home. That child is failing in school. Ad nauseum.
Yes. That’s an excellent point.
Disabled Veteran Retiree (NAVY) & getting more & more used to the ‘treatment’ - the apathy is and has been readily apparent. Healthcare is broken for everyone. “Dobbie the House Elf” will not be coming to anyone’s rescue, certainly not for the popular ACP program. Pathetic!!
I’m disabled Veteran Navy also.
The Congressman from Nebraska, or his spokesperson, apparently doesn’t know the difference between tornadoes and hurricanes.
Tomato tomahto?
I’m a meteorologist so it just surprised me that someone who lives in Tornado Alley would make that mistake.
Just a gaffe, ignore it!
Somewhat meta, but I'm disappointed to see you using ChatGPT generated art, given that the product is built on a foundation of stolen IP. You're indirectly ripping off all the artists whose work was stolen to train the underlying model. It feels extremely out-of-line of the values I thought were behind Popular Information.
I came here to make this point too. It sucks to see.
What do we do about this? I used to think that if people only knew (low information voters) they would be outraged and they would vote the bums out. The operative words are “used to think” . Recently I have I have begun to think that very few people care about the things all of us readers of this Substack do. Their brains have been turned to cream cheese by the barrage of garbage they are fed.
OTOH, be a shame if donations to the Trump and MAGA campaigns suddenly drop on May 1.
Thank you Judd!
The ACP is necessary.
Another GOP denial of infrastructure.
Wish we could get it back.