Others, though, are not troubled by this prospect. These people point to city buses literally wrapped in advertising and nod approvingly. As long as they don't have to pay for it, they don't care. The debate is new to the Internet but familiar offline. Many are dismayed by the kudzu-like spread of advertising into the public sector.
Schools accept advertising revenue through soft drink contracts and cable television broadcasts.
Publicly owned stadiums bear the names of corporate sponsors. It was just a matter of time before governments were approached regarding their Web sites. The promise that the Internet would improve government services is repeated so frequently it has become something of a public-sector catechism. First, the argument goes, information technology will make provision of public services dramatically more efficient. Citizens will go online to register vehicles, obtain fishing permits, renew driver's licenses, apply for zoning variances, pay parking tickets, etc.