Internet Essentials Comcast what's it about?

i learned of this when i called comcast to work out a more reasonable price plan for our internet service.. (i got the usual runaround)...

i was asked if i had a child on free lunch.. "uh, no i do not".. that was when i learned that the only price cut they offer subscribers is with the stipulation they have a child receiving free lunches at school.

and so i decided to look up their program online and see what it is all about.. 

here is the link to the comcast blog announcing their new endeavor: Building a Strong Record of Diversity in 2011 

snippet from their blog announcement:

"And this summer, we take aim at what has become a 21st Century Civil Rights issue — broadband adoption. Internet Essentials, a groundbreaking broadband adoption program, will provide low-cost access to the Internet and affordable computers as well as digital literacy training to families with children who are eligible to receive free lunches under the National School Lunch Program. We're committed to this program because we know we can help level the playing field for these families who are at risk of falling even further behind by connecting students online with their teachers and schools, and parents with the resources for employment, health care, and other benefits." 

the following is the comment i posted to their blog on march 26th, it has yet to be published..

"I feel your services should reach out and serve all families fairly, not only those that have their children in school receiving free or reduced lunch.

Perhaps you might consider creating a sliding scale pricing program that applies to all of your subscribers. Please consider that everyone deserves to be supported, not just those with children on free lunch.

Someone who manages their money well and takes the time to send their children to school with a healthy homemade lunch should not be penalized. These families too, could really use a break on such an important service as receiving Internet connection at an affordable price.

Or how about our seniors, they too want to keep in touch with family or learn things about a destination they may wish to travel, etc..

I know several families that do not send their children to school and those children too are excluded by your program guidelines.

I really hope that you will stop for several moments and consider just how much sense it makes to include ALL PEOPLE who are customers or potential customers and allow them the opportunity to have a reduced price on your services, especially speaking of the Internet. Everyone who wishes to do so should benefit by affordable access to such an important tool in our modern day society.

Thank you for your time."

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my personality is to question and i decided to blog about this because healthy nutritional habits are one of those things i feel is extremely important to understand and talk about..

1. did you know that the public school lunches are unhealthy? 

for further details in the shameful scam of school lunches please see: Jamie Oliver's Food Revolution

2. if you'd like to watch episodes of the show where jamie oliver exposes the FDA et al for their unhealthy business dealings, that are quite literally killing our youth, go here: Hulu.com Jamie Olivers Food Revolution

perhaps i'll send this info on to jamie oliver to see if he might consider taking a crack at this hypocrisy that further involves the push of the unhealthy school lunches..

3. while i appreciate any and all support to lower income families, i take issue with the limitations implemented in this program in that families must have children in an ever growing broken down public school system..eating unhealthy "free" food..

i realize there are schools that "rank" better than others, nonetheless it's broke and as a result children are being denied a childhood, teachers hands are tied, and important programs are being chipped away while budgets continue to be cut to the point that it is hurting everyone involved.. 

States Continue to Feel Recession’s Impact

snippet---  "The cuts have significant consequences, both now and in the future: They are causing immediate public- and private-sector job loss, and in the long term are likely to reduce student achievement and economic growth."

4. i hate to come across as cynical, but am i the only person that sees this tag line "21st Century Civil Rights" as strictly an effort at establishing a humanitarian status? personally, i don't see this aim as a wholesome idea, not with the whole picture presented in front of me.... 

5. i take noticed there are many in our society that create distortion, such as politicians, news stations, government agencies, corporate business, and the medical establishment..to name a few......why is it that we as a people have continued to blindly accept the erroneous behaviors of the few all the while ignoring the other side of their story which inherently affects us all?

thank you for reading..

some links that may be of interest:

Comcast Internet Essentials how it all works

National School Lunch Program

Comcast Plea for Partners  

edit: new link at 12:38 am 03-31-2012

Comcast’s Discount ‘Internet Essentials’ Off Limits Because of One Late Bill 10 Years Ago 

 

One problem with our current society is that we have an attitude towards education as if it is there to simply make you more clever, make you more ingenious... Even though our society does not emphasize this, the most important use of knowledge and education is to help us understand the importance of engaging in more wholesome actions and bringing about discipline within our minds. The proper utilization of our intelligence and knowledge is to effect changes from within to develop a good heart. 

--- Dalai Lama XIV