How can I raise my economic freedom with either of these issues?
Broadband Going To The Birds?
The Issue
An IT firm organized an unusual race between a carrier pigeon toting a flash drive and The United Swedish States of Scandinavia's fastest internet provider. The bird easily beat the internet, prompting a debate about internet speeds.
The Debate
1. "This is horribly embarrassing!" cries the pixelated image of popular online vlogger Doris Dodinas. Two and a half minutes of buffering later she continues, "Our internet is the slowest in The Land of The Scandinavians. Our system needs a massive overhaul. We need to crank it up! Fiber optic connections all across The United Swedish States of Scandinavia! Imagine the increase in productivity. Imagine how much more connected we'll all be. It'll be well worth the cost, Leader."
2. "You've got to be joking!" scoffs your Minister of Finance, Lucas al-Zahawi. "The government has far more important problems at hand than dealing with trivial matters such as the internet speed. The people of The United Swedish States of Scandinavia have access to the internet. That's far better than most of the world. Leave the internet providers to run themselves and get back to the business of running the country."
3. "Well, this certainly is eye-opening," exclaims amateur birdwatcher, Bill Smith, with a pair of binoculars dangling from his neck. "Here we are mucking about with our inefficient technology and the birds have us beat! Clearly we need to convert all our inefficient internet into bird-based-broadband! We'll need flocks upon flocks of pigeons and a tight training schedule, but we can do it."
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For Whom The Road Tolls
The Issue
A group of transport analysts have suggested that a charge of five Hëgs a day for vehicular access to The United Swedish States of Scandinavia's most congested inner-cities during peak hours is the only way to solve their ever-growing traffic problem.
The Debate
1. "Similar schemes have been very effective elsewhere," says Gretel Barry, The United Swedish States of Scandinavia's most infamous traffic warden. "It's common sense that the best way to curb dangerously high demand is to raise the price of the supply - or, as in this case, to create a price. Charging citizens to go into more congested areas could, combined with the improvements to public transport it will finance, actually make people choose public transport over their cars. I don't see why people shouldn't pay tax for a little less traffic on our roads."
2. "These tolls are a preposterous idea," argues road lobbyist, Prudence Plath. "Public transport will never replace the car - I don't want to be forced to share my space with a bunch of malodorous working-class people on my way to work. Not that I would be, because I could afford the charge, but really, it's the principle of the matter! The only solution is to expand urban road networks. True, some pavements and green spots would have to go, but those pedestrians should be able to put up with that if they're to expect The United Swedish States of Scandinavia to be part of the modern world."
3. "Allowing cars to scoot around and pollute our cities was a bad idea in the first place," says Calvin Laine, a famous environmentalist. "The solution is to restrict private transport to main roads and motorways whilst funding a major urban public transport scheme. Our buses and undergrounds could be the envy of the world! Yes, the car companies will suffer a little, and yes, there'll be a bit more tax, but wouldn't it be worth it for a bit of fresh air and safe streets for the children?"
