Matthew Weigang

An open internet has been my livelihood

I have lead a life quite unlike what many young people in this nation have lived, but since an early age one bond I've shared in common with many other young people in this nation has been a presence on the world wide web. While many people, myself included, use the internet to make purchases and do research, I was quickly attracted to online communities and soon became a prominent member in several online computer games and internet forums.

Today I'm the administrator of my own forum, I've been flown from my home in Massachusetts to Los Angels by a game development firm, and I've even started my own web design business with a skill set and partners I've developed and met through the web. In this way an open internet has been a livelihood, and I am by no means a wealth man. My family's income has dropped below poverty lines in the past, and if cable companies were to create a tiered or metered internet, I fear I would not be able to maintain my forum or afford the investment needed for my web design business in lieu of upcoming college and living expenses.

Please, the internet is an incredible tool of freedom of speech that facilitates thousands of communities, connects people with their passions, and has been a huge part of what I am today - all regardless of class and intentions. I ask you to do everything in your power to keep the internet free and open to nothing more then a flat connection rate.