Computers, Freedom, and Privacy
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Dear presidential candidates:
 
Dear presidential candidates:
   
We would like to ask your help in seizing the unparalleled opportunity the 2008 election provides to spark a nationwide discussion on the relationships between information and communication technologies (IT) and traditional policy areas such as social welfare, governance, economic development, trade, innovation, education, health care, foreign relations, and the environment.
+
We call on your help to seize the momentous opportunity the 2008 elections provide to spark a nationwide discussion on how information technologies (IT) and the knowledge economy impact traditional policy areas such as education, health care, social welfare, and civil liberties.
   
 
The attendees of the 18th annual Association for Computing Machinery ''Computers, Freedom, and Privacy'' Conference and our allies have initiated "Dear Potus 08", a series of web-based, interactive and open letters to the next President. These letters will cover topics that touch everybody in our nation, and in the process both engage and educate the public as well as industry and policymakers.
 
The attendees of the 18th annual Association for Computing Machinery ''Computers, Freedom, and Privacy'' Conference and our allies have initiated "Dear Potus 08", a series of web-based, interactive and open letters to the next President. These letters will cover topics that touch everybody in our nation, and in the process both engage and educate the public as well as industry and policymakers.
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* How government can reduce identity theft by leading consumer protection initiatives, including education, best practices, and -- where appropriate -- regulation
 
* How government can reduce identity theft by leading consumer protection initiatives, including education, best practices, and -- where appropriate -- regulation
 
* Creating a safer Internet for children and adults -- addressing such issues as cyberbullying, phishing, hacking, and cyberterrorism -- while also preserving freedom of speech and privacy
 
* Creating a safer Internet for children and adults -- addressing such issues as cyberbullying, phishing, hacking, and cyberterrorism -- while also preserving freedom of speech and privacy
* The role of copyright, patents, and other forms of intellectual property in fostering innovation and creativity in a remix, mashup, and peer-to-peer-based culture
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* The role of copyright, patents, trademarks and also alternatives to intellectual property in fostering innovation and creativity in a peer-to-peer-based democratic culture
* How effectively to use new technologies to reduce health care costs and improve outcomes and service without compromising patient privacy or increasing the risks of medical identity theft
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* How to use new technologies effectively to reduce health care costs and improve medical care and service without compromising patient privacy and creating security risks
* Provide access to technology and knowledge for all Americans, bridging the digital divide and taking into account accessibility, interoperability, education, and training
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* Enabling access to technology and knowledge for all Americans, investing in bridging the digital divide and considering accessibility, interoperability, education, and training in technological design and regulation
* Comprehensive U.S. privacy legislation based on fair information principles that applies to governmental and private data collection, and how this should be harmonized internationally
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* Comprehensive U.S. privacy legislation based on fair information principles that applies to governmental and private surveillance and data collection, and how this should be harmonized internationally
   
The highly participative open letter format, along with accompanying discussions in online and offline forums, allows citizens to engage in the political process in a more participative way, paving the ground and refining methods for ongoing two-way communications with government in the new administration. At the same time, it will help people develop a shared national vocabulary while gaining a deeper understanding of the complexities and challenges of these issues.
+
The participatory open letter format, along with accompanying discussions in online and offline forums, allows citizens to engage in the political process in a more deliberative way. We hope to pave the way and refine the methods for ongoing interactive communications between the general public and our government in the new administration. This effort will also help people develop a shared national vocabulary while gaining a deeper understanding of the complexities and challenges of the role of technology in the issues and concerns of Americans.
   
If you think this is a valuable goal and interesting approach, you can assist us by highlighting the importance of these issues, and your positions, as you're campaigning. Just as importantly, please challenge the media -- "old" and "new" -- to cover the issues with the depth they deserve and turn their attentions away from the current focus on "gaffes" and the horse race aspects of the campaigns.
+
If you think this is a valuable goal and interesting approach, you can assist us by highlighting the importance of these issues, and your positions, as you're campaigning. Just as importantly, please challenge the media -- "old" and "new" -- to cover the issues with the depth they deserve and the attention currently paid to the sound-bite and horse race aspects of the campaigns.
   
 
Thank you for taking the time to read this letter. We look forward to hearing what you and the technology policy experts in your campaign think of it.
 
Thank you for taking the time to read this letter. We look forward to hearing what you and the technology policy experts in your campaign think of it.
   
   
Signed (in whole or in part),
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Signed,
   
 
...
 
...

Revision as of 12:12, 23 May 2008

Near-final DRAFT, 7 a.m. Friday!!!!!! Wordsmithing changes only!

Note: the specific areas are based on the discussions at dinner on Wednesday.

Dear presidential candidates:

We call on your help to seize the momentous opportunity the 2008 elections provide to spark a nationwide discussion on how information technologies (IT) and the knowledge economy impact traditional policy areas such as education, health care, social welfare, and civil liberties.

The attendees of the 18th annual Association for Computing Machinery Computers, Freedom, and Privacy Conference and our allies have initiated "Dear Potus 08", a series of web-based, interactive and open letters to the next President. These letters will cover topics that touch everybody in our nation, and in the process both engage and educate the public as well as industry and policymakers.

The topics we'll be discussing include

  • How government can reduce identity theft by leading consumer protection initiatives, including education, best practices, and -- where appropriate -- regulation
  • Creating a safer Internet for children and adults -- addressing such issues as cyberbullying, phishing, hacking, and cyberterrorism -- while also preserving freedom of speech and privacy
  • The role of copyright, patents, trademarks and also alternatives to intellectual property in fostering innovation and creativity in a peer-to-peer-based democratic culture
  • How to use new technologies effectively to reduce health care costs and improve medical care and service without compromising patient privacy and creating security risks
  • Enabling access to technology and knowledge for all Americans, investing in bridging the digital divide and considering accessibility, interoperability, education, and training in technological design and regulation
  • Comprehensive U.S. privacy legislation based on fair information principles that applies to governmental and private surveillance and data collection, and how this should be harmonized internationally

The participatory open letter format, along with accompanying discussions in online and offline forums, allows citizens to engage in the political process in a more deliberative way. We hope to pave the way and refine the methods for ongoing interactive communications between the general public and our government in the new administration. This effort will also help people develop a shared national vocabulary while gaining a deeper understanding of the complexities and challenges of the role of technology in the issues and concerns of Americans.

If you think this is a valuable goal and interesting approach, you can assist us by highlighting the importance of these issues, and your positions, as you're campaigning. Just as importantly, please challenge the media -- "old" and "new" -- to cover the issues with the depth they deserve and the attention currently paid to the sound-bite and horse race aspects of the campaigns.

Thank you for taking the time to read this letter. We look forward to hearing what you and the technology policy experts in your campaign think of it.


Signed,

...

(and include current URL)