Obama Would Make Chief Technology Officer a Cabinet-Level Position
Benny Goldman
In preparation for his visit to Google headquarters today, presidential candidate Barack Obama released a nine-page statement outlining his plan to improve technology (if elected). His first order of business would be to appoint a Chief Technology Officer, a new government official who makes sure Obama's ideas are put into action.
The CTO would have a much different agenda than the head of technology under the current administration, the "cyber-security czar". While that post is concerned with preventing cyber attacks, the CTO would concentrate on critical issues facing the technology world as well as maintain an open line of communication between the government and the American citizens by using—what else?—the internet.
The rest of his outline includes plans to provide broadband access to areas lacking it, open up the 700MHz wireless spectrum so smaller carriers can compete, and create a federally-backed, $50 billion venture capital fund for the development of more environmentally-friendly technology.
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Obama also wants a transparent government, where meetings between Cabinet officials and government executives are streamed live, and the public can comment on legislation on the White House website for five days before it is signed into law. Giving the public wide access to the policy makers is a radical step from the closed governments of the past. Though it kinda takes the term "commentard" to a new level. No word yet on Obama's banhammer, but we guess it will be as swift and merciless as ours, democracy be hanged.
Other proposals in Obama's technology manifesto include reforming the patent system to provide better security to important innovations and decreased protection for trolls, and regulations on network neutrality. Overall, Obama's plans seem very advanced, open-source and engaging to the community, things that any technology buff can appreciate. OK, Hillary: your turn to network with the nerds. [Venture Beat]
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Yeah, the "Mayor of 9/11" is a pretty screwy choice to me. I think it's hilarious that Pat Robertson endorsed him considering his "moral" background. I don't trust Hilary for a second. Romney should be water-boarded for saying he'd "double" Guantanamo. I'm wondering when the Republican candidates will stop jerking off to "24" and wake up. Take a look at this nut for example:
[teamtancredo.org]
Vote for me or you'll die! Yeah, right.
Although Obama doesn't exactly have my confidence, I'd vote for him in a second just for the transparency alone. Btw, transparency doesn't mean revealing bomb strike coordinates, people. It means accountability, which nobody seems to have these days, Republican or Democrat.