This week the FCC is expected to propose broad new rules enforcing “network-neutrality” on broadband internet access providers. We’ve commented disapprovingly about such regulations here, here and here.
This is very bad policy as well as a corrupt payoff to Google, which has made itself Hope ‘n Change’s best bud since before the election. Worse, it’s a further step in the continuing campaign to assert control over Internet content. The Wall Street Journal recognizes this danger as well:
The rules will escalate a fight over how much control the government should have over Internet commerce. The Obama administration is taking the side of Google, Amazon.com Inc. and an array of smaller businesses that want to profit from offering consumers streaming video, graphics-rich games, movie and music downloads and other services.
As we’ve said before, this is a fight between well-heeled companies over services rendered to consumers. The government should simply butt out and let the parties – driven by consumer demand – sort out the dispute.
But under Hope ‘n Change, there’s fat chance of that happening.
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