Here in the UK the BBC is quietly lobbying for a broadband licence; or more accurately they are lobbying for broadband to be covered by the current TV licence. The reasoning being that having broadband equipment will be the same as having equipment installed for the reception of live TV broadcasts - for which UK 'citizens' must already pay over 125 ($220 US) per year to the state for permission.

The state TV corporation will get its way and there will be no substantial rebellion; people will pay up the same as they already pay for government permission to watch television (the constitutional status of the TV Licence is a legal permission to install and use television reception equipment). The state tv/licence is in place across most of Europe.

Yet somehow, having this yoke around their throats doesn't stop lots of Euros managing to squeal about George W McHitlerBurton and the United Terrorist States of AmeriKKKa. Once again state supression descends on the USA but lands somewhere else.

And in case you think I'm some sort of Mr Klaxon just making shit up:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/4708170.stm