kirstin beatty

Net Neutrality or Bust --- Freedom of Information

As a parent and teacher, I feel that net neutrality is necessary to news access, which helps folks work to prevent world problems, and also is necessary prevent discrimination against the poor (or anyone unfavored) in favor of richer and mostly likely commercial sites. As it is, commercial values are increasingly common due to the barrage of media from businesses. Independent media is essential, and establishing money requirements closes the door for many, while creating a larger market for a set group: business. Unfortunately, the goal of business is primarily to make money, not parenting or citizenship or education. Clearly, net neutrality is a net gain for everyone, improving culture by allowing for web information variety and independence.

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.