A commentary by Tom Friedman of the New York Times decries that the U.S. is falling behind in the adoption of broadband and wireless technologies for accessing the internet: "The world is moving to an internet-based platform for commerce, education, innovation and entertainment. Wealth and productivity will go to those countries or companies that get more of their innovators, educators, students, workers and suppliers connected to this platform via computers, phones and PDAs."

He cites the political platform of NYC public advocate candidate Andrew Rasiej, who is calling for wireless internet access from every home, business and school in the city. Rasiej is apparently calling for New York to follow Philadelphia's lead in making the entire city a "hot zone," where anyone with a computer, cell phone or other handheld will have high-speed access to the web.

Rasiej is also calling for "civic photo-blogging": using cellphones to take pictures of potholes or crime and emailing the pics and exact locations, using Google maps, to City Hall.

The political party that makes use of the latest technologies becomes dominant, according to Friedman, who cites FDR's use of radio, JFK's televised debates, and Republicans's use of direct mail, talk radio, and Karl Rove's networked databases of voters.

The lesson: "The technological model coming next…will revolve around the power of networks and blogging. The public official or candidate will no longer just be the one who talks to the many or tries to listen to the many. Rather, he or she will be a hub of connectivity for the many to work with the many - creating networks of public advocates to identify and solve problems and get behind politicians who get it."