Carkom

[Tunasashimi]

http://www.sacm.co.za/analogies.jpg

This article drawing a parallel between road and telecommunications networks, is not as ridiculous as it may appear. The shape of an economy is determined by its transport network.

Basically, we pay taxes to finance our road and rail networks, right?

Would anyone care to share more info on the road-maintenance model in effect in our country? Shortcomings? Improvements?

Shouldn't water-, electricity- and communications-networks enjoy the same priorities?

Although I doubt there are contries where this has ever even been considered (and call me a communist if you like) but what would the enforcement of a non-profit policy on the maintenance of basic facilities hold in store for the economy of a country?

 

[w1z4rd]

i dont think i want those services in the hands of the government (just yet) as I dont think they are responsible enough. Privitzation has its advantages if the market is very liberal.

 

[Karnaugh]

Oh my word... that analogy is getting really really old. Must have heard it almost 300 times, over the last 2 years and it has never even made me smirk..

 

[donaldza]

One day I will see Karnaugh say something positive...one day...

 

[pupa]

http://www.sacm.co.za/analogies.jpg

This article drawing a parallel between road and telecommunications networks, is not as ridiculous as it may appear. The shape of an economy is determined by its transport network.

Basically, we pay taxes to finance our road and rail networks, right?

Would anyone care to share more info on the road-maintenance model in effect in our country? Shortcomings? Improvements?

Shouldn't water-, electricity- and communications-networks enjoy the same priorities?

Although I doubt there are contries where this has ever even been considered (and call me a communist if you like) but what would the enforcement of a non-profit policy on the maintenance of basic facilities hold in store for the economy of a country?

The prosperity in a country depends on basic public services, public transport and good communication services. All of these are non existent in this country. Thus the poor and young battle to get a head start. Without basic services or a free market we are worse or same as any other communist country concerning growth and the services will remain poor and never be upgraded in time. Certain basic comodities are protected in other countries which here is a total failure like farming, transport, medical, pensions, free and cheap communications, stable school system, etc.
Free market is best, but b@stard cases like Telkom and Tollroads, where the goverment is the profiteer and regulator at the same time, and goverment protected companys like Telkom, does not work due to conflict of interest. Add to that corruption (smell the money syndrome) and you have what you have in South Africa today. The same also where wholesale competes with their own clients by also acting as commodity supplier, like Telkom,Saix and Telkom internet ???
Regards to taxes on roads, No! the goverment introduced toll roads for maintainance, and tax feul heavilly and still they just do little or do no maintainance on roads such as the maintainance on the lower traffic national roads. Thus I do not see the point. Like with public transport busses and railroads, which is the economic viability in all properous country's is here neglegted and run down to a mess. Only metro rails or busses exist and they are in a real mess too. So owning a car to travel is essential in this country. No car no job you can say?

 

[DigitalSoldier]

A bit off topic but if u had a choice in saying how much of ur tax money should be use for communication what % would u say must be used or for that matter any services provided by our govt ?

 

[Spamtheman]

blah blah blah

Sheesh Karnaugh it's not like we haven't seen that superior, smug geek attitude a thousand times before, at least since '95 or '96.

 

[DigitalSoldier]

lol spam

 

[Gldm]

Oh my word... that analogy is getting really really old. Must have heard it almost 300 times, over the last 2 years and it has never even made me smirk..

Well, if you have a better one, let me know and I'll run that next time my column comes up in citiedge.