Obama Would Create Cabinet Level Technology Officer

If elected President, Barack Obama would create the first-ever Cabinet level Chief Technology Officer. Obama thinks that the US is not doing nearly enough to create jobs in the tech sector and believes an executive position would better the situation. Google CEO Eric Schmidt must agree, as he is endorsing Obama.

As an alternative to filing for bankruptcy, Circuit City is considering closing over 150 stores and cutting thousands of jobs. The struggling electronics retailer will have to cut back mass spending in order to get through the holiday season. While Circuit City posted sales of $11.74 billion last year, the retailer simply does not have enough cash to move forward at current capacity.

LaLa, the former CD-swapping and web radio site, is now reinventing itself as a cloud based digital retailer. LaLa will sell songs for 10 cents each, only you can't download them, rather the songs will be accessible via the web, on any web enabled device. LaLa's model is a hybrid of Apple's download to own system and Rhapsody's streaming subscription network.

Netflix announced a 30% increase in 3Q earnings, during which it took in $20.4 million. The increase in earnings was higher than expected, however, Netflix still had to cut its subscriber and revenue outlook due to the weakening economy. Netflix will attempt to increase earnings by instituting a higher charge for Blu-ray discs.

Plus, today's consulting question, "What ever happened with SanDisk, Samsung and Toshiba?" Shelly has the answer on today's MediaBytes.

Shelly Palmer is a consultant and the host of MediaBytes a daily show featuring news you can use about technology, media & entertainment. He is Managing Director of Advanced Media Ventures Group LLC and the author of Television Disrupted: The Transition from Network to Networked TV (2008, York House Press).   Shelly is also President of the National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences, NY (the organization that bestows the coveted Emmy® Awards).  You can join the MediaBytes mailing list here. Shelly can be reached at [e-mail]

Follow Shelly Palmer on Twitter: www.twitter.com/@shelly_palmer

Comments

[kissmygrits]

Great idea. Long live Net Neutrality!

[harriettubman]

As long as Obama doesn't expand government too much, it's ok. There are government employees with nothing to do yet there are 300 people in the building. Obama needs to go in there with his scalpal and start downsizing some depts and getting rid of others. An IT position could replace another dept.
What's the use of having HUD if the states don't have enough agents to go out and inspect the properties? What's the use of having no limitations on some federal programs? People shouldn't be on food stamps for 50 years.

[nellie]

A cabinet level tech post is so Obama. It's a great idea.

[RoveRoveRoveYourBoat]

...another cabinet level idea missing:
Secretary of PEACE

[RationalDubSteppa]

This is just great!! As a computer scientist I have been wondering for years why isn't our government using technology to run government more efficiently. Imagine all the money we could save with the proper technology. This kinda news just continues to reinforce my believe the Obama is the ONLY man for this job right now!

[SouthPrairie]

Further evidence that Obama is going to move us into the 21st century. We have to be cutting edge and we are not going to be cutting edge with a president who cannot log on without help, who has people around him who call technological innovators, GEEKS!

I'm going to love having a smart president. Which is why I have already voted for:

Obama/Biden '08

[RationalDubSteppa]

Me too, I can't wait for a smart president, we've been waiting 8 long years for one, I can't wait another 4.

Obama/Biden 08!

[Bitsko]

Great idea, Senator. Maybe now we can catch up with the rest of the industrialized world. I propose a Secretary of Teaching Natural Selection and Human Evolution next.

[RationalDubSteppa]

I second that!!!

[Jentutsy]

In related news, McCain announced today, if elected, he'd reinstate a steno pool in the West Wing.

[ILikeH00ters]

This man thinks like I do. Science and technology are the reasons why America is the most powerful country in the world and not religion, abortion or gun control.

May I suggest Neil Degrassi Tyson for this position.

[RationalDubSteppa]

WOW!! Great idea, Dr. Tyson would be great. I also think these might be wonderfull too...

Jeff Beezos (CEO Amazon.com)
Dr. Alan Kay ( father of OOP and GUIs)
Larry Ellison (CEO Oracle) or Charles Phillips(President of Oracle)

[ILikeH00ters]

My first choice is Dr. Tyson. I watched many of his presentation in youtube. I am yet to see someone in the academic community to eloquently articulate the need for more investment in science as Dr. Tyson. My second choice would be Bill Gates but there may be a conflict of interest though.

[macintoshsauce]

Smart move IMHO.

[bikerdude]

I WANT that Chief Technology job!

[RationalDubSteppa]

You and me both, brother... LOL

[maxfax]

Will they teach others in DOD and DOJ too?

[drumz]

We want our IT jobs back!

[Haditup2here]

. . . . .Engineering jobs too with wages that fairly reflect the value and worth of engineers and power that technology puts into the economy.

[Opt1musPr1me]

No comment until he wins!

[PT6]

GREAT NEWS!

TECHNOLOGY CAN SPUR THE ECONOMY, REMOVE CORRUPTION, AND AVOID MORE BAILOUTS!

FIVE KEY FACTS:

1. American Taxpayers Own Fannie, Freddie, and a group of Banks!
2. Mortgage Companies and Banks were at The CENTER of the Housing and Financial CRISIS!
3. Crisis Continues Because Homeowners can not Afford TRICKY Loans and are Walking Away!
4. The Current FED RATE is 1.5%!
5. Technology and the Internet are Sophisticated Tools for Automating Loans!

Why not use the Internet and the New Taxpayer Owned Banks to provide direct low cost loans using Automation while Eliminating the Corrupt Middle Men (i.e., Mortgage Companies and Banks)?

The FIXED rate on the new loans would be 2.5% to 3% to provide the New Taxpayer Owned Banks with a 1% to 1.5% margin!

Automation can be used to verify employment, verify home title, check credit, and do 98% of the loan Preparation. This eliminates all the mortgage fees, all bank fees, all title fees, most verification fees, and most documentation work done via internet and technology.

This could easily be accomplished using today's technology at a much LOWER COST!

The Savings for AMERICANS will spur the Economy more than any added Bailout Plans

The Savings can be used to paying debts, buy American Cars, buy American Real Estate, and all kinds of American goods plus help other countries in crisis by buying their goods!