house Bill H.R. 279
Should The FCC Be Stripped Of The Power To Classify The Internet As A Public Utility?
Argument in favor
To ensure a fair and open Internet, we need to keep the web out of Washington’s hands. This bill will stop bureaucratic FCC overreach.
03/18/2015
The government should not have the right to limit free speech or monitor what we say on the internet.
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03/18/2015
Competition is the best medicine. Government intrusion usually leads to mediocrity.
Argument opposed
This is the opposite of net neutrality — to truly ensure an open Internet, broadband providers need to be regulated, and kept from creating pay-to-play rules.
03/18/2015
Just because you don't like an FCC decision doesn't mean you strip it of its ability to make that decision. Heck, why not just strip power from the Supreme Court when you don't like a decision. The internet is one of the most important communications tools there is. We need the FCC to make sure it remains a resource for us all to access.
The government should not have the right to limit free speech or monitor what we say on the internet.
Just because you don't like an FCC decision doesn't mean you strip it of its ability to make that decision. Heck, why not just strip power from the Supreme Court when you don't like a decision. The internet is one of the most important communications tools there is. We need the FCC to make sure it remains a resource for us all to access.
Net Neutrality!!! stop trying to screw over the little guys please.
The Internet is crucial to the effective functioning of democracy.
This bill stinks of the dirty monopoly's that are against net neutrality.
The price we would pay would be outrageous and only benefit the corporations and the wealthy.
The Internet has become a utility. Any vote against net neutrality is a vote against your constituency. Vote FOR the people.
Competition is the best medicine. Government intrusion usually leads to mediocrity.
When the government regulates everything gets more expensive slower and less free!
The Constitutions calls for Smaller Government. The Constitution needs to be followed by those who are supposed to up hold it. And not changed to accommodate they're aspirations.
the internet is the last stronghold of free speech. You are quite naive
There is already too much government control on everything else. We need to make a stand somewhere and begin to take back some of the control already taken away!
PROTECT OUR RIGHT TO FREE SPEECH!
Official Title:
To amend the Communications Act of 1934 to limit the authority of the Federal Communications Commission over providers of broadband Internet access service.
1.) Supporters of this bill believe that a classifying the Internet as a public utility welcomes bureaucratic federal meddling and a loss of investors.
2.) Under the new rules, as a telecommunications service, the FCC has much more control over the Internet, subjecting it to the same non-discrimination, common carrier regulations as other utilities.
3.) With an "information service" classification, the FCC would have less regulatory power.
4.) In defense of his bill, Rep. Latta cites experts from the Progressive Policy Institute, that claim reclassifying the the web to a telecommunications service could be "disastrous for the Internet and our economy. Reclassification could add another $15 billion in user fees and taxes for consumers."
http://latta.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=397923
Senator Ted Cruz has said:
" 'Net neutrality' will lead to fewer choices, fewer opportunities & higher prices for consumers"
I CRUZ WITH TED!
The experience of present utilities should make this decision easy, but instead the American people have been sold on the lie that "neutrality" means free. In reality, the government will dictate the content, quality, and quantity of the Internet and of service providers. Why else would the regulations be kept so secretive?
Don't fix what is not broken. Besides the federal government does not have legitimate authority to regulate what is essentially a free Internet here in United States.
The internet is a perfect, modern example of a public utility. We should invest in America's infrastructure to bring fast, reliable internet access to all Americans at a minimum of expense. Second guessing decisions made by specialized committees or commissions like the FCC, undermines confidence in all future government reports, departments, bureaus & legislation.
Net neutrality sounds great and all, but very few people understand what it is or even how data works. This is all due to the 1937 law under 'title II' to insure no telephone company can treat calls different. We now live in a modern world and you can't treat all data the same (video vs. webpage) and doing so lessens ISP, thus people in rural areas can't get service. Small companies don't have the resources for this. Besides this just cost a ton of tax dollars to collect and analyze our data and the government the right to see into every company and 'deem' injustice when data is dropped. Allowing them to fine companies under gov. This is all just scare tactics for more power and allowing big companies to stay on top when little guys don't have the resources to compete.