The underlying problem with Rasiej's proposal from the business community's perspective is the plan would require government checks against commerce to secure fair application of the the Internet. A report issued by the Federal Trade Commission June 27 basically agreed with their contention and advised legislators to move forward carefully before creating laws that might hinder market innovation.
However, several proponents of an "open access model" for broadband neutrality contend the FTC's position is regressive and will enable providers to limit customer access to information based on their economic circumstances. "This is not the time for caution but rather forward-looking and decisive action reinstating Net Neutrality once and for all," said S. Derek Turner of the SavetheInternet.com. His sentiments are echoed by similar organizations such as the Open Internet Coalition who argue recent consolidation within the provider market has undermined consumer choice and caps their broadband options in essence to two companies per locality.
As special interests jockey for control of the information highway, consumer input has become noticably absent from the conversation. Unable to express their concerns, people are reduced to passive listeners, voiceless to interject their opinions about the most significant free speech matter to emerge in the past 75 years. Instead of focusing on a substantive policy which assures the Internet will be shared equally by everyone at an affordable price, the slugfest has degenerated into a hostile engagement about who will profit the most from its future deployment.
Lost in translation are the details about making it an educational tool for school children, upgrading broadband speed consistent with those enjoyed by citizens of other countries, cost-efficiency and a government policy which secures it without being unduly intrusive. When we read in the alternative press the Department of Homeland Security has been hacked, people begin to realize the need for developing a comprehensive federal Internet plan that's non-partisan and driven objectively to serve democracy rather than proponents of demagoguery or greed.
Last week Congress and the Hill press corps were fixated on legislative maneuvering about whether to continue funding the Iraq pork barrel. That's appropriate, considering we're wasting billions of taxpayer dollars for a war built on lies. It's money which could be better spent in America on the care of our elderly, investing in a quality universal healthcare system, cleaning up the environment or educating our children through inexpensive, broadband access. Doing anything less places American democracy at risk and jeopardizes our young people's competitiveness for the future.
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