A Clear Explanation of Net-Nuetrality and the Republican Conundrum

There seems to be a lot of consternation in the GOP ranks over the citizen majority and Democrat support of net neutrality. In case you do not know, 'Net neutrality (also network neutrality or Internet neutrality) is the principle that Internet service providers and governments should treat all data on the Internet equally, not discriminating or charging differentially by user, content, site, platform, application, type of attached equipment, or mode of communication.'

You see, the big problem is Digital Transition and Public Safety Act of 2005 which was purported to be for the safety of our country. By freeing up all the analog frequencies that were being used for television transmission, the government could use those frequencies for 'emergency broadcasting'. Time and time again, it was proven that the analog frequencies were far from an overload but the Republicans pushed the law through for all their friends and financial supporters in the cable television business. This law made television a very expensive prospect for most citizens. No longer were we able to just turn on a television set and watch our local network news and programs without the assistance of our local cable company. Prior to the Digital Transition and Public Safety Act, many citizens couldn't afford cable because prior laws had created 'competition-free' zones all over the country. If you lived in Cleveland, for example, your cable company of 'no choice' was Cox Communications. If you couldn't afford cable you still had the local programming. After President George W. Bush signed the Digital Transition and Public Safety Act, local programming ceased. We were 'given' a digital receiver that allowed us to pick up local digital signals. My receiver lasted about 6 mos. and that was longer than some of my friend's receivers continued to work. Soon, however, wonderful new services began popping up on the Internet, NetFlix, Hulu, Amazon Video and many networks started streaming shows that were available on their channels, on their websites. Pretty soon, those who could not afford cable service (digital services were much more expensive than previous analog had been) began getting their television through the Internet and cable services were dropping like flies. In addition, a large number of those who had been able to afford cable television service canceled their cable service and began to use the Internet for their entertainment, as well. Cable companies started losing more and more of their customers but Internet providers had a booming business. Cable companies started trying to offer Internet, cell phone, reduced service periods but, they couldn't stem the tide that was turning against them so, they turned to their buddies, the Republicans.

The proposal that has been currently floated about, to aid the cable companies continued gouging of the American wallet, is to have every user of the Internet pay an extra fee to facilitate entertainment viewing on the web. If the proposal is enacted, This means that NetFlix, Amazon Video, PBS.org will now have to raise their fees or begin charging fees in order for the user to have the downloading capability they currently have for free. If the cableprovider-friendly proposal comes to fruition, the speed of the 'free' Internet will be so slow, there will be no possibility of downloading and/or watching web provided videos. The proposed Net Neutrality Act will support the free internet. All Internet service will be available at the same speed for the poor and low-income as for the wealthy and big business. The Internet will be neutral for all. The Republican's cable service provider buddies are worried. They are worried sick because many cities are attempting to supply free internet access to all their citizens which means even fewer cable customers for cable service providers. My recommendation to the cable service providers is for them to think back on all the customers they gouged in the past and to, say, cut their losses and close up shop.

The Republicans are doubly worried because Silicon Valley are mega-supporters of net neutrality. The more people who have access to the Internet, the more products they will sell. The voter that the Republicans desperately need to help them win the White House in 2016 is the very same demographic that Silicon Valley relies on. So, the Republicans are in a bind. Do we continue to cater to our big money donor cable service providers, the donors we helped gouge the Citizen's wallet? Do we jump ship to get in bed with Silicon Valley knowing there is no guarantee of any big payout? Decisions, decisions, hmm.

#internet #digital #analog