Al Gore on Technology

Al Gore on Technology 2000 Democratic Nominee for President; Former Vice President

1991: Pushed funding for first web browser

TV converts well-informed citizenry to well-amused audience

In the world of TV, the massive flows of information are largely in only one direction, which makes it virtually impossible for individuals to take part in what passes for a national conversation. Individuals receive, but they cannot send. They hear, but they do not speak. The “well-informed citizenry” is in danger of becoming the “well-amused audience.”

Source: The Assault on Reason, by Al Gore , May 16, 2007

Defend Internet freedom as ferociously as freedom of press

Internet restores press integrity lost by 1-way TV dominance

Tech makes us a force of nature; obligation to use wisely

Our new technologies, combined with our numbers, have made us, collectively, a force of nature. And those with the most technology have the greatest moral obligation to use it wisely. And this too, is a political issue. Policy matters. The US is responsible for more greenhouse gas pollution than South America, Africa, the Middle East, Australia, Japan, and Asia--all put together.

1996: Led effort for telecomm bill's V-chip and E-rate

Even more important, the act mandated discounted Internet access rates for schools, libraries, and hospitals; the so-called E-rate would eventually save public entities about $2 billion a year.

Right wing controls media via RNC-Fox-Limbaugh network

A theory best expressed by Al Gore theorized, "Something will start at the Republican National Committee, inside the building, and it will explode the next day on the right-wing talk show network an on FOX News and in the newspapers that play this game." He continued, "The Fox News network, the Washington Times, Rush Limbaugh--there's a bunch of them, and some of them are financed by wealthy, ultra-conservative billionaires who made political deals with Republican administration and the rest of the media. Most of the media [have] been slow to recognize the pervasive influence of this fifth column in their ranks." Yes, Gore actually calls people who disagree with him "fifth columnists."

$33B for new R&D tax credit; more privacy protection on-line

At the same time, Gore promised that, if he is elected, the government will keep its “hands off” the Internet, with “no burdensome regulations, no new tariffs on Internet transmissions, and a moratorium on taxes on the Internet.”

The only area where Gore outlined a stepped-up government role was in protecting individual privacy, where he said he would fight for new laws to keep personal medical and financial records private.

Parents’ “protection page” to check kids’ web surfing

Recently the FTC pointed out that some entertainment companies have warned parents that the material is inappropriate for children, and then they turned around and advertised that same adult material directly to children. That is an outrage. Joe Lieberman and I gave them six months to clean up their act. And if they don’t, the FTC [would prosecute for] false and deceptive advertising. I want to do something about this-while respecting the First Amendment-but I will do something to help you raise your kids without that garbage.

Source: St. Louis debate , Oct 17, 2000

The new wired world brings out few differences between the candidates. Both have done plenty of pandering to the high-tech industry. Gore: created a “digital cabinet” of high-tech advisors dubbed “Gore Techs”

supports technology that would filter out pornography

calls for an “electronic bill of rights for privacy”

Along with Bush, Gore would extend the moratorium on Internet taxes, favor tax credits for R&D, support high-tech exports, & double the number of skilled worker visas.

Source: The Economist, “Issues 2000” special , Sep 30, 2000

Maintain prosperity via millions of new high-tech jobs

One of the keys to continuing America’s prosperity for working families is the creation of high-tech, high-wage jobs. The plan aims to create at least 10 million high-tech, high-skill jobs over the next decade. Pay off debt to keep investment strong

Foster innovation with Research and Experimentation tax credit, government investment, and competition

Encourage education for a technologically sophisticated workforce

Open foreign markets and grow e-commerce sector

Source: 191-page economic plan, “Prosperity for American Families” , Sep 6, 2000

Source: Speech to the 2000 Democratic National Convention , Aug 18, 2000

New technology should not mean less privacy

Source: Press Release “Prohibiting the Sale of SSNs” , Jun 8, 2000

Promote $500B market for energy technology

Unhealthy concentrations of power snuff out competition

Source: Associated Press , Apr 9, 2000

Broadcasters required to assist with “Democracy Endowment”

Source: CNN.com AllPolitics , Mar 27, 2000

Source: Town Hall Meeting, Nashua NH , Dec 18, 1999

Source: (Cross-ref from Crime) www.AlGore2000.com/issues/crime.html , Jun 14, 1999

Triana satellite would inspire environmental consciousness

Source: NY Times, page D-1 , Jun 1, 1999

Genome project yes; genetic discrimination no

Source: www.AlGore2000.com/issues/technolo.html 5/16/99 , May 16, 1999

Create e-government, interactive access for all citizens

Gore announced today that as President he would: Cut red tape by placing government services on-line : Make nearly every government service easily accessible on-line by 2003.

: Make nearly every government service easily accessible on-line by 2003. Create interactive town square on government projects : Agencies under Gore’s e-government would be required to post regular interactive progress reports on line.

: Agencies under Gore’s e-government would be required to post regular interactive progress reports on line. Create G-Bay, save money with on-line government purchases : “G-Bay,” a new on-line government surplus auction site, would sell equipment the government no longer needs. Also, make all major government purchases on-line.

: “G-Bay,” a new on-line government surplus auction site, would sell equipment the government no longer needs. Also, make all major government purchases on-line. Provide digital keys for secure access to services : Provide a free digital key to any citizen who wants to connect with the government on- line. [This would] protect Americans’ privacy while providing secure access to information about their Social Security benefits, apply for a home loan, or check on the status of student loans and conduct other business with government.

Source: Press Release, “E-Government” , Jun 5, 2000

“G-Bay”: on-line government surplus auction site

Source: Press Release. “E-Government” , Jun 5, 2000

Online federal services: a “second American Revolution”

Source: Associated Press in NY Times , Jun 5, 2000

Assisted heavily with invention of Internet in 1989

Proud of helping Internet; not proud of claiming invention

Source: Democrat Debate at Dartmouth College , Oct 28, 1999

1995: Led policy of free-market Internet

They published the proposed e-commerce protocol on the Web, and asked for suggestions; the protocol went through 14 public revisions before it was approved, on July 1, 1997. Most striking was the philosophy of the approach. It was firmly Libertarian; not just anti-censorship--but also opposed to the imposition of a sales tax on cyber-purchases, as a way to encourage the growth of e-commerce.

It was also a policy that fit with the Administration's approach to other New Economy issues. This was an absolutely crucial--if deadly dull--area of policy: Gore country.

The White House--led by the Vice President, who really did have a passion for these issues--acted to encourage a free market in the emerging information technologies. Mobile phone services blossomed; the Internet boomed.

Electronic Bill of Rights protects personal information

A: I believe that, in this time of unprecedented possibility, we must ensure that new technology is used to renew and strengthen our oldest and most cherished values. That is why I have called for an Electronic Bill of Rights for this electronic age. It includes the right to choose whether personal information. is disclosed; the right to know how, when, and how much of that information is being used; the right to see it yourself; and the right to know if it’s accurate. In many areas, I believe that industry self-regulation of Internet privacy is an effective response. Last year, the administration and the FTC held a workshop that pushed the industry to come to the table and negotiate a privacy code of conduct. That code of conduct is now in place.

Source: Associated Press , Oct 6, 2000

Internet self-regulation OK: privacy policy on all web sites

V-chip & Internet filters are parental tools to protect kids

Source: Press Release, Fort Lee, NJ , Apr 20, 2000

To bridge the “Digital Divide,” Gore would fight to: Finish connecting every classroom and library to the Internet during the first term.

Marshal the resources of government and the private sector to make Internet access as common as the telephone.

Undertake a new national effort to provide basic skills in new technology, including a major initiative to achieve computer literacy for every child by the end of the eighth grade.

Make the best educational software available to every school, and make more critical government services on-line-- from job-training courses for people who need new skills, to help with Medicare and Social Security for seniors who need it, and assistance for new entrepreneurs to successfully grow small businesses.

Bring people with disabilities into the information economy with new tax cuts to companies that develop new technology that help people with disabilities.

Source: Press Release from www.algore2000.com , Apr 3, 2000

Regulate Internet privacy & child access, but not content

Source: Democrat debate in Los Angeles , Mar 1, 2000

Universal Internet access should be a national priority

Source: Democrat debate in Harlem, NYC , Feb 21, 2000

Tax-free Internet a catastrophe for local governments

Source: Interview in Business Week, p. 42-43 , Dec 20, 1999

Connect every school to the Internet

Source: (Cross-ref from Education) www.AlGore2000.com/issues/technol , Jun 14, 1999

Use high tech to deliver government and social services

Electronic Bill of Rights for personal privacy

Chief information officer to digitize federal government.

The strong anti-government sentiments of the early 1990s have subsided, but most Americans still think government is too bureaucratic, too centralized, and too inefficient.

In Washington and around the country, a second round of “reinventing government” initiatives should be launched to transform public agencies into performance-based organizations focused on bottom-line results. Many public services can be delivered on a competitive basis among public and private entities with accountability for results. Public-private partnerships should become the rule, not the exception, in delivering services. Civic and voluntary groups, including faith-based organizations, should play a larger role in addressing America’s social problems.

When the federal government provides grants to states and localities to perform public services, it should give the broadest possible administrative flexibility while demanding and rewarding specific results. Government information and services at every level should be thoroughly “digitized,” enabling citizens to conduct business with public agencies online.

Goals for 2010 Require public agencies to measure results and publish information on performance.

Consolidate narrow federal-state grants into broad performance-based grants that offer greater flexibility in return for greater accountability for results.

Make it possible for citizens to conduct all business with government online.

Create a chief information officer to drive the digitization of the federal government.

Source: The Hyde Park Declaration 00-DLC8 on Aug 1, 2000

Page last updated: Jun 17, 2017