Johann Swart

Please Don't Let Comcast Destroy my Business

I am a small business owner, just my wife and I. Because of the free internet, we have been able to establish our own business, and not only make a good living, but live the lifestyle we've always dreamed of.

When I was young, I was always told "In America, you can be whatever you want to be - anything is possible. America is the land of opportunity, the land of freedom." This has proven to be absolutely true in my case, as I have been able to make a good living doing something I used to do for free in my spare time. This is wonderful for my marriage, my family, and my customers - as my zest for life and spirit are carried forth in my work.

However, the loss of Net Neutrality could destroy everything I've worked for in one swift move. With the big-money websites able to attract more customers, driving out small businesses like mine out of the marketplace, it would be the equivalent of the Wal-Mart effect, but online. Huge websites with vast resources would control the internet, and the American people, entrepreneurs, and small business people like myself would be driven out of the marketplace, which has created the opportunities for success for thousands of people like myself, and brought dreams to life for so many people.

Comcast, AT&T and Verizon are three of the largest, most profitable companies in the world. To think that the bottom line of these three already-profitable companies would be thought of as more vital to American interests than the hopes, dreams, ambitions, and freedom of American citizens is simply against every American moral and value that the founding fathers of our nation envisioned for this country, and against the very fabric of what makes our country great.

You hold the power in your hands to uphold the shining beacon of freedom in America, a land where even the smallest entrepreneur has an opportunity for success and every citizen has a voice. Please use this power to empower the millions of people who rely on the internet every day, and not just to line the pockets of corporations that already have so much. We, the people of America, trust you to do the job you've been appointed to do - stand up for the values and liberties of the people of this country. Don't let us down...please. My life, and so many like mine, depend on your decision.