Brian Erickson

Free and open internet

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.

I pay internet providers money to allow me to access the content that I desire. Big corporations should not be allowed to dictate where I should go. The current net neutrality that we enjoy ensures that all voices and ideas on the internet are heard equally and not controlled by money. We lose our democracy if we allow others to control the information we can learn and find online.