A letter opposing Net Neutrality went out today to members of Congress from a number of groups on the right. The spectrum of our movement is represented: libertarian groups, religious and values-oriented groups, economic and fiscal policy advocates, large organizations, and grass roots are all there. The entire list of signers, available below the fold, is as diverse as it is long.
They all recognize that we’ve all benefited from how the Internet has grown and innovated under years of regulation with a “light touch,” because contrary to myth the Internet has never been a Title II Common Carrier under the Communications Act*, and that we must continue to allow the free flow of information without heavy-handed government interference. Competition protects us better than empowering an activist FCC ever could.
I’m glad to see that more of us are coming around on this critical issue. We’re a long way from the days when Free Press front group Save the Internet could rattle off technobabble and convince conservatives that their neo-Marxist regulatory plans were harmless.
* I linked to AT&T, and now the neo-Marxists are going to call me a capitalist lap dog! Oh no! Everybody Panic!
Anyway, here’s the letter itself for review:
April 15, 2010
Dear Member of Congress,
We are writing to alert you of a dangerous effort currently underway at the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). Unelected bureaucrats are seeking to fundamentally alter the federal government’s role in regulating the Internet by imposing so-called “net neutrality” mandates. Democratic and Republican administrations alike have agreed that a “light touch” approach to the Internet creates competition, lowers prices, incentivizes innovation, and ultimately benefits consumers. The current proposal under consideration is a harmful departure from long held successful policies. The FCC’s attempt to regulate the Internet is unwise and must be opposed.
The Internet is prime example of what can be achieved when companies are free to compete without the intervention of the heavy-hand of government. America’s broadband service providers have invested billions of dollars in improving their networks and consumers are winning. The Internet is faster than it’s ever been, we have access to high-definition video online, and new premium online services are made available daily. The great success of the Internet has been made possible because the government has stayed out. There is no evidence of a market failure to justify the burdensome government regulations some are proposing. Unfortunately, it appears that a few FCC commissioners lack an understanding of how regulations affect investment.
Net neutrality regulations also call into question how obscenity and other objectionable content on the Internet is treated. Let’s be clear, all content is not equal and does not deserve equal treatment, but net neutrality prohibits broadband service providers from prioritizing the content consumers want and preventing peddlers of child pornography from having unblocked access to every home Internet connection. It is critically important for parents and families to continue to have access to the tools necessary to keep unwanted content out of the home.
We ask that you support innovation, competition, and consumers and oppose this effort to regulate the Internet.
Sincerely,
Phyllis Schlafly President and Founder Eagle Forum Penny Nance CEO Concerned Women of America Grover Norquist President Americans for Tax Reform Tom McClusky Sr. Vice President Family Research Council Action Tim Phillips President Americans for Prosperity Steve Pociask President American Consumer Institute C. Preston Noell III President Tradition, Family, Property, Inc. Andresen Blom Executive Director American Principles in Action Bill Wilson President Americans for Limited Government Lisa Correnti President and Founder OneNationUnderGod.org Kelly William Cobb Executive Director Digital Liberty Project Timothy Lee Vice-President of Legal and Public Affairs Center for Individual Freedom Steve Elliott Founder Grassfire Nation Mathew Staver Founder and Chairman Liberty Counsel Chuck Muth President Citizen Outreach Mario Lopez President Hispanic Leadership Fund Joseph K. Grieboski Founder and President Institute on Religion and Public Policy Deal Hudson President Catholic Advocate Phil Kerpen Director NoInternetTakeover.com Andrea Lafferty Executive Director Traditional Values Coalition Timothy B. Wildmon President American Family Association Curt Levey Executive Director Committee for Justice Rev. Rob Schenck President National Clergy Council Phillip L. Jauregui President Judicial Action Group Jamie Story President Grassroot Institute of Hawaii Dave Trabert President Kansas Policy Institute Larry Cirignano President Faith & Freedom New Jersey John Taylor President Tertium Quids Hance Haney Director and Senior Fellow Technology & Democracy Project Discovery Institute Dr. Carl Herbster President AdvanceUSA