Technology

John McCain

Barack Obama

*Translation

McCain would encourage an investment by not taxing innovation and keeping capital gains taxes low. He also would create a 10-percent permanent research and development tax credit. He also would retain investments in innovation by lowering the corporate tax rate to 25 percent. McCain would fully fund the America Competes Act to educate students in math and technology. He advocates fair and open trade and says he would protect against piracy. He would protect the inventor’s intellectual property and stay away from unnecessary regulation of the Internet while maintaining consumer protections. McCain would work to provide high-speed Internet to all by encouraging private investment to facilitate the build-out of infrastructure to provide high-speed connectivity. Also, a community broadband would let local governments offer this service. He would put government information online to better serve Americans.

Obama says he would support network neutrality, allowing users to control their online experience. He supports the free exchange of ideas via the Internet. Also, he would encourage the media to be diverse. Obama says he would create a transparent and connected democracy by appointing the first chief technology officer. He would provide broadband to all by reforming the Universal Service Fund, with new tax and loan incentives, better use of the nation’s wireless spectrum and promoting new-generation facilities. He would improve America's competitiveness by making the research and development tax credit permanent. Math and science would be a national priority, and the national STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) Scholarship Database Act would financially assist students in these fields. Technology would address other national problems. Obama would advance stem cell and biomedical research.

Technology needs to be inclusive and available to everyone. The country needs a map of where broadband is available. The FCC is charged with providing locations where broadband is going to be, but until recently the report only provided information for ZIP codes. This is "totally inadequate, whether you are thinking about education, or work or homeland security. We need to have good broadband reporting to know where it is, and where it is not, in order to tailor solutions."     Affordability is also a concern because technology is a requirement to participate in the 21st century. During the Clinton administration an influential series of reports, "Falling Through the Net," showed how various sectors were not connected. The Bush administration only released two reports titled, "America Online" that instead emphasized who is using broadband. There needs to be a commitment to digital inclusion. This includes proper stakeholder involvement. There needs to be a focus on making technology accessible, affordable and available, otherwise the U.S. won't remain competitive.     It is important to invest in research and development. McCain’s emphasis is on giving tax breaks to a corporation, but in return corporations need to make specific commitments to digital inclusion. Intellectual property should be protected, but now it is not balanced and the intellectual laws actually go overboard.     Net neutrality (companies should not filter, block or give preference to selected content) needs to be protected; there is a better sense that Obama is embracing it. Also, government information should be available online. A chief technology officer isn't necessary, but leadership from the highest levels is critical — leadership that sees how this is part of a national infrastructure that impacts other national priorities. Several people across various agencies need to participate. Also, math and science need to be a national priority because students are not passing math high school exit exams. Technology is an economic and social issue. Also, stem cell and biomedical research and health care all need to be addressed. From Richard Chabran, California Community Technology Policy Group director.