You cannot bring economics into this discussion, when the Federal, state, and local governments themselves are pushing citizens to the internet for virtually ALL services. For example,state unemployment runs via the web, and all but a few physical offices remain (Missouri), federal and state services, taxes, etc., are all accessible via the web, and many companies are foregoing paper billing for on-line paying and penalizing those that still receive paper bills.

Are you going to suggest that people all go to the library for their internet services? With gas prices as they are, and telecommuting finally becoming a viable reality, everyone needs standard internet access at standard prices.

The internet is as necessary as electricity and water to Americans. Federal subsidizing of low density areas is necessary, just like mail service -- it is the new Postal Service.

Trust me, living in a rural area myself, 80% of my neighbors would kill for a so called "broadband" 7x24 connection -- and not satellite, which is incompatible with many applications (VPN, Citrix, VOIP, games, etc.), and is very expensive.

I live in the country by choice, but I moved here 10 years ago when the web was just something AOL pretended to offer. Now, it is a requirement, and sorry, but I'm not moving back to the city; I like it here away from people like you.