Many people, local bloggers included, are jumping on the bandwagon to fight a Bill in Congress that reverses a previous bill putting regulations and restricitions on internet service providers. What the groups are promoting is a concept called Net Neutrality. In simple terms, net neutrality is supposed to mean that everyone has equal access to the Internet.  This sounds like a noble goal, however, with some serious thinking about the ramifications of this policy comes many valid reasons not to support net neutrality.  The Bill is being fought heavily by moveon.org and the Christian Coalition.  Both of these organizations have a record of favoring government legislation to further an agenda and solve society’s problems.

The problem with the Internet is that it isn’t broke and it doesn’t need to be fixed.  Internet access speeds have increased dramatically without government interference and the price for service has dropped.  The organizations are pushing for government regulation based on scare tactics and worse case scenarios that would not happen.  We have a choice, as customers, to choose our Internet providers.  If we don’t like the pricing or service level from one provider we are free to switch to another.

The pending bill reverses previous legislation that would prevent IP’s from providing service in the most cost-effective, efficient way possible.  The result would be exactly the opposite of what is being claimed.  Without the ability to determine how to best provide service to individuals and businesses the IP’s would be left in a position of reducing service to contain costs and this would lead to less innovation.  Innovation, due to a lack of regulation and interference, is what has brought us to the level of service we are able to obtain now.

For a more thorough understanding of the issue, please read the following two articles.  It will only take a few minutes but it could save endless problems down the road.

Save the Internet From the Government

The Market, Not Regulators, Should Decide the Internet’s Future

Following is an addition to my original post. This is a very important issue and I think people need to research and get as much information as possible before deciding to support net neutrality.
Here is a quote from an editorial on TechNewsWorld.

If the loss of net neutrality principles was really a problem, advocates wouldn’t need to scare Americans in order to win their support. Using government regulation preemptively to shortchange business partners is a reckless abuse of the public policy process. New laws should be based on facts and reality, not fear and hypothetical situations.

And here is the opinion of the head of the Federal Trade Commission, an agency that generally favors regulation.

Deborah Platt Majoras, the FTC’s Republican chairman, said extensive net neutrality legislation currently pending in the US Senate is unnecessary because there has been no demonstrated harm to consumers, that normal market forces would be likely to prevent any problems, and that new laws would cause more problems than they solve.