Net Neutrality

I just sent the following email to my congressional delegation: Rep. Mel Watt, Senator Elizabeth Dole, and Senator Richard Burr.

The Internet is a crucial engine for economic growth and democratic discourse. We need to take steps now to preserve network neutrality, the First Amendment for the Internet that ensures that the Internet remains open to innovation and progress.

The telecommunications companies that want to abandon network neutrality have a new vision for the Internet. Instead of a level playing field, they want to reserve express lanes for their own content and services — or those from big corporations that can afford the steep tolls — and a leave the rest of us on a winding dirt road.

Without net neutrality, decisions now made collectively by millions of users will be made in corporate boardrooms. The choice we face now is whether people can choose the content and services they want, or whether the broadband barons will choose for them.

[Dole and Burr got this:] As a constituent who values a free and open internet, I urge you to support S.2360, the Internet Non-Discrimination Act of 2006, which would ensure network neutrality.

[Watt got this:] As a constituent who values a free and open internet, I urge you to support the Network Neutrality Act of 2006, which would ensure network neutrality. I also urge you to oppose the Communications Opportunity, Promotion, and Enhancement Act of 2006, which lacks strong network neutrality provisions.

If you can, take a minute to write your electeds about network neutrality. The internet is a terrible thing to waste.