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To have a need for a Broadband, is not as necessary as getting the personal computer with a dial up server to lower income families. However, when they get a computer of their own, that otherwise they would not have a dream of attaining one without some sort of assistance, they will no doubt be looking down the line for a faster ISP. In fact, I have been so ill for the past 14 years that without my computer, I call Hope, I don't know if my life would still be possible.

I have an older Dell, bought brand new about six years ago, but because medical bills ranged $300 lacking a million dollars to keep me alive, my lack of funding, has not afforded me the opportunity to shop for a newer one. My PC is on a Beta format, and is about as slow as Fred Flintstones foot powered car, but I am in no hurry so dial up suits me fine!

The real opportunity here, is to get the computer into the hands of these kids of low income status and their adult parent/parents, and watch them grow with it. They will find a way to get Broadband if they become a major surfer, and they have the chance to educate, play and communicate with others around the world. It is amazing, the look on a persons face when they turn on their first PC. It is like magic, and they can't stay focused, and go all over the place. But it is fun and exciting, and people that are lower income need this as much or more than some of us with a higher income, to try to set them up with a better opportunity via the education form their very on PC.

Now those parents that withdrew from high school, can now go back and get a diploma from PBS, Public Broadcasting Station, and be able to help their kids with their homework. This is sheer genius to recycle these dinosaurs PC's that are being cast out to landfills that are now being recycled and they help with the Green effect too. So I still say that a Broadband connection is not necessary. What is, is having the skills and the know how of using Word, Photo Shop and IE [Internet Explorer] and the entire world will be at their feet. And to plant a seed, to watch a child grow, and an adult take classes over this wonderful invention, is sheer bliss. They don't care if it is fast or not, they just want to get connected. Once connected and being able to get information from their peers at school and to do a full report for a class, are just a few special reasons for these kids to have the same chance as others. Computers are here to stay, and most homes in America have one now, and if we do not allow our families that are say, having difficulties, have the same tools it is not being fair to the children or their family with a lower income.

Most teachers don't pick a student out of a class and beat on them if they don't have a PC, but, it does make getting a full education almost impossible if they are not working at the same level as their peers. And high school is difficult enough, and we don't need a higher drop out rate, that if that same young person had the same playing field, they too could possibly go from living low, to living large. They would have more of a reason to stay home and do school work, and email their friends, in place of hanging out....doing nothing. Being bored causes crime more times than most would admit. Keep them interested in education and see what happens then!

Learn more about this author, Cheryl Burger.
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