A Stitch in Haste

Here's a story about a popular Seattle coffee shop that is canceling its wi-fi hotspot service on weekends:

On the weekends, 80 to 90 percent of tables and chairs are taken up by people using computers.
...
Worse than just the sheer number of laptop users, Strongin noted, is that many of these patrons will camp six to eight hours -- and not buy anything. This seemed astounding to me, but she said that it was typical, not unusual. The staff doesn't want to have to enforce the cafe's unspoken policy of making a purchase to use the space (and the Wi-Fi), and on the occasions that they approach a non-buyer about a purchase asking, "Can I get you a beverage?" the squatter often becomes defensive, explains they’ve bought a lot in the past or just the day before.

Which invites the question: If the coffee shops and other locales that are offering hotspots should not be expected to subsidize other people's wi-fi Internet access, then why should taxpayers?

Hat tip to Hit & Run.