We're all getting screwed on broadband.
I got a note in the mail today from Comcast offering me 12mbps cable modem internet as a way to increase my business's productivity. Aside from the fact that I have no business and my zip code is not in the Comcast service area (at least it shows that they aren't profiling me, or they suck at it) I fail to understand how faster internet would make ANYBODY more productive. I'm not suggesting that we should all stick with DSL speeds forever, but what business are you in where 12mbps actually increases the amount of work you can get done over, let's say 1 mpbs? I'm sure there are businesses that work with large media files (video, satellite images, whatever) but they are the exception. Bring this argument home, what do you do at home that necessitates massive bandwidth? Youtube? My DSL runs at 768k and I click start when the page loads with VERY few hiccups.

Ok, so the ISPs are selling consumers theoretically overpowered connections, no big deal. The real kicker is that we're paying out the ass for it. US taxpayers have contributed something like 200 Billion tax dollars ($666 for every American) to building the US broadband infrastructure, and what we have to show for it? 12mbps for $90 per month, speeds not guaranteed. I hate comparing the US to socialized countries, but lets look at France. For about $40 USD, you get an ADSL2+ running 28mbps, Digital HD cable TV, unlimited telephone with free international long distance. A deal like that in the US would cost HUNDREDS if those services were even available.

So, we're overapaying AGAIN for slow internet that is overpowered for today's available services. What a country.