Chris Finnie

Save my lifeline to the world

I run a one-woman business from a small rural town in Central California. The Internet is an indispensable research and communications tool for my business. It enables me to work with companies all over the country and the world, to learn about the technologies I write about, and to research my clients' competitors.

Because I live in such a small town, I also do a lot of shopping online. I used to buy things for my son and have them delivered to North Carolina when he was in grad school, and just bought a birthday present for a friend in Washington, D.C. and had it shipped directly to her. When my son and his girlfriend went on vacation to Hawaii, she posted photos online, I bought some for myself and some for my parents in Los Angeles. Again, I have choices worldwide.

In addition, I've become a political activist in my late middle years. I send our press releases and newsletters as PR chair of my county Democratic Central Committee. I keep in touch with other activists I've met on various campaigns. I research issues and communicate with legislators. And I've worked on campaigns from California to Illinois--all online.

Net Neutrality is essential to me. To my business, my life, and my political free speech. The economic innovation a free Internet has enabled has afforded me everything from shopping opportunities to new customers. It would be a huge loss to me and to our country if that changed.

I ask the FCC to ensure that broadband providers do not block, interfere with or discriminate against any lawful Internet traffic based on its ownership, source or destination.