Issue: Internet: Net Neutrality

[constituent14]

http://www.infoshop.org/inews/articl...70628201953222

You'll like this one, I promise.

[tonyr1988]

Of course, Ron Paul is against Net Neutrality. Personally, it's one of the issues that I'm stuck on. On one hand, I think that a free market would be able to completely solve this problem by itself - if my ISP sucks by limiting what I can and cannot access, I'll simply switch. Even if there was only one ISP in my area, it would be alright - if enough people were unsatisfied, that would be a huge incentive for another provider to enter that particular local market.

On the other hand, the problem is that the broadband industry is not a free market. Most local communities (city or county) have exclusive franchise agreements with certain cable companies, forcing out competition. They create a barrier of entry that is impossible to overcome, and I think that's a much bigger problem than Net Neutrality itself.

Do you guys think that Ron Paul would support deregulation of local cable monopolies? I agree that Federalism is an important part of the Constitution, but how much power do you think the federal government should yield in order to ensure that our freedoms aren't being damaged by the lower governments?

[beermotor]

Seems to me that battle is at the local / county level. It's one of the reasons I'd like to get involved in county/state politics. I HATE AND LOATHE AND DESPISE COMCAST AND WANT THEM TO DIE. Sorry, heh.

[tonyr1988]

lol, I feel the same way about Cox. In fact, I think most people hate their local cable company. The problem is: is there much that we can do? I know that our monopoly contract says something along the lines of "As long as Cox doesn't screw up big time, this contract will continue to be renewed"

[Kuldebar]

Like any piece of legislation these days, the title of the legislation sounds really great, Patriot Act, anyone?

The simple reason Paul is opposed to "Net Neutrality" is because it's basically the equivalent of the Camel's nose in the tent. Once you let that in...the camel is soon to follow.

Additionally, there are free market concerns, but the bottom line is that this so called neutrality would give tacit approval of government authority in black and white for future interference. Let's not try to make fascism better, let's get rid of it and replace it with freedom.

[angrydragon]

Couldn't they find another provider not in New York?

[BruceV]

Today's monopolies become tomorrow's dinosaurs.

In MD, some counties have Verizon fiber, which competes with Comcast. My neighborhood doesn't have fiber yet, but other technical options are becoming more viable. G3 wireless is coming.

I think, but don't 'know', that Ron Paul would be for opening the market to competition. The exclusive franchises provided to local jurisdictions are anathema to a free market, but should not be controlled at the federal level. Let the localities experiment to find a good solution. Once a good solution is found (or at least a solution that works better than what we have now), let it be replicated.

One problem with the current system is that the local pols get bought off by the highest bidder (campaign contribtutions). But, I could never go back to dial-up.

[foofighter20x]

Like any piece of legislation these days, the title of the legislation sounds really great, Patriot Act, anyone?

The simple reason Paul is opposed to "Net Neutrality" is because it's basically the equivalent of the Camel's nose in the tent. Once you let that in...the camel is soon to follow.

Additionally, there are free market concerns, but the bottom line is that this so called neutrality would give tacit approval of government authority in black and white for future interference. Let's not try to make fascism better, let's get rid of it and replace it with freedom.

Net neutrality is already the law. Corporations are lobbying to have it repealed. That's why it's an issue.

[foofighter20x]

Net Neutrality FAQ...

It's from a biased site, but it still covers the basics.

[tonyr1988]

Couldn't they find another provider not in New York?

Yeah, and it says that they're looking for one now.