Sheila Luecht

The Internet Keeps the World Close

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.

Through the Internet, equal footing is available for all voices to be heard. We are not formed by slanted media to reflect any government, administration, religion or cause. We can surf and find what we need to make our own opinion and fight for our own beliefs. We come together across socio economic barriers, governments and prejudices to find common ground, to ask the tough questions and have honest discourse over ideas. The Internet is a Renaissance of thought and ideas, the opportunity to come out of the dark ages once and for all...worried about content, then put up your own. We finally all have a voice.