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"My one great idea is ... making access to the Internet available to everyone in Philadelphia, regardless of the income level of their family and the zip code where they might live.
"The Internet ... has the potential of leveling opportunity for education, equalizing health-care access, equalizing access to the job force, to news and information, and even to entertainment. But ... because broadband adoption rates are so much lower in low-income communities, ... this fabulous technology that is available on the Internet is exacerbating differences instead of leveling the playing field.
"Comcast's contribution to solving this problem is ... if you have a child eligible for a free meal under the national school lunch program, you get three things. One, you get economy broadband service for $9.95 a month; we will give you a voucher to purchase a full-service computer; and number three, maybe most important of all, is access to a full suite of digital literacy materials and products.
"We've passed the point where Internet is a luxury. I think anyone who uses the Internet today knows that it is a necessity."
One reader's idea:
"Put people to work and build pride by having retired tradespeople teach inner-city kids trades by working on city-owned dilapidated housing with donated materials from building companies that have excess inventory and can take a tax cut.
"Simple - win-win-win-win. Retirees win, kids win, city wins, building company wins."
Poll:
Should students get the opportunity to see live music at World Café Live?
Yes. 100%
No. 0%
The Inquirer and Philly.com have launched a 45-week project to inspire Philadelphians to suggest great ideas for the city and region.
In our "One Great Idea" project, we're asking well-known and less-known people of our region to tell us their single great idea to change Philadelphia. These video interviews will run on Philly.com each Tuesday and on The Inquirer's Wednesday commentary pages.
Post comments, vote on this idea, or share your own great idea at www.philly.com/OneGreatIdea, or write to inquirer.letters@phillynews.com.
