Once again, Republican agenda is going to attempt to privatize taxpayer funded organizations. The latest one of the organizations to be challenged is the National Weather Service. Rick Santorum (R-PA) wants to privatize the National Weather Service by writing H.R. 50.
So how will this effect you?
You will no longer be able to get free forecasts from the National Weather Service website if this bill passes.
Make your comments heard, send feedback to the National Weather Service now - you only have until November 2nd. That republican really passed this one under everyone's nose, so act while you still have a change. Tell your local and state representatives to not support this bill.
In the wake of Hurricane Katrina, it should be obvious that the best way to keep the public safe is to keep them informed - without them having to pay for the information. The National Weather Service's website and weather radio programs, as well as their mobile Internet site, do this. If this goes to a pay-per-view situation, among other things, the process of digging for the credit card information when you need it and logging into a site can cause enough incentive to most people (especially lower income people) not to listen to warnings. If this bill passes, the next Major Hurricane to hit the gulf coast could be the one that takes over 10,000 lives.
http://www.wunderground.com/blog/Skyepony/show.html
I have already contacted every representative on the list here:
http://commerce.senate.gov/about/membership.html
I advise everyone contact at least 3 or 4 of the senators - specifically the ones in the states who have gone through Hurricanes Katrina, Rita, and Wilma.