I’m getting really angry about all of the partisan politics being played around Net Neutrality. I put myself solidly in the conservative bucket but I have to say that this week is causing me to seriously reconsider that. A working future for the internet is too important to mess around with.
It’s one thing for Congressional Republicans to voice their opinions in a buzzing manner like they have been to date. It’s another to then keep the same stance and begin promoting it as desired national policy. I understand this is not necessarily a purely partisan issue as there are some Republicans who get it and are not acting insane and there are Democrats who are on the wrong side of the issue as well. But for whatever reason it’s many vocal Republicans currently behaving as if this is an issue that they must win.
Broadband Internet is a public utility and should be reclassified under Title II. Period. Our government created a situation which allowed telecom providers to essentially become monopolies with no competition and also gave them the tools to restrict future competition. Now those same monopolies are screaming that they should be allowed to continue as monopolies because they aren’t REALLY monopolies. In their world, how can Comcast, Time Warner, Verizon and Charter all be monopolies at the same time? Reality be damned.
If the Republicans (led by Ted Cruz) get their way there won’t be government regulation of the internet – there will be private regulation of the internet to drive profits. I know which is the more dangerous choice given the monopoly issues with these companies. Netflix being shanghaied into turning over millions to these companies is example number 1 of how they behave. Past behavior often indicates future behavior in business.
If Congress continues down this route they are going to completely alienate a generation of technologically sophisticated voters. It’s a shame because these voters are also the ones disenchanted with politics in general and not turning out to vote at a high percentage. But that shouldn’t be confused with never turning out to vote. Step on an issue that we care about and see what happens. The pollsters may never see the wave of discontent coming because they didn’t know to look for it.