(Commentary) It seems obvious the plan would help millions, especially in agrarian states where the Democratic party’s support is weakest. Estimating the precise impact, however, is virtually impossible because no one really knows how many Americans lack access to a service that’s considered vital to modern living. "We have a better map of the Milky Way galaxy than we do of who is un- and under-connected in rural America," University of Virginia professor Christopher Ali told the Senate Commerce Committee during a March hearing.