Michael Curri, founder of Strategic Networks Group, claims that every dollar spent on broadband infrastructure results in a tenfold multiplier impact on GDP. In other words, pouring $100 billion into deploying a national fiber network would result in a trillion dollars of economic growth -- particularly in rural areas where businesses leave should they not have necessary connectivity.

I imagine his claims could be inflated somewhat to sell his consultant wares, and obviously dumping money into a rural fiber ring is not an economic panacea. Still, here I was, thinking that actually investing in your infrastructure was akin to satanism and puppy torture. Hey Bear Stearns, can we have that $30 billion back?