Terry Hernon MacDonald

Self-employed mother needs the 'Net

Over the past 36 months I've started a small business that helps pay for my daughter's vision therapy (she's dyslexic) among other things. I also believe that I am helping other people through my work. I sell an ebook through my website (www.marrysmart.com), and I also publish a blog for women (www.happygirlmusing.com).

The Internet has given everyday Americans like me the chance to be successful on our own terms and free, just as our founding fathers envisioned. Please do not allow faceless corporations to turn it into another version of network television.

Net Neutrality is essential to free speech, equal opportunity and economic innovation in America. Since the FCC removed this basic protection in 2005, the top executives of phone and cable companies have stated their intention to become the Internet's gatekeepers and to discriminate against Web sites that don't pay their added tolls.

This fundamental change would end the open Internet as we know it. It would damage my ability to connect with others, share information and participate in our 21st century democracy and economy. The FCC must ensure that broadband providers do not block, interfere with or discriminate against any lawful Internet traffic based on its ownership, source or destination.