Webwork - 1:43 pm on Dec 21, 2010 (gmt 0)

Providers who restrict access will be dropped in favor of providers that don't

If the cost of new providers entering the market wasn't measured in billions of dollars the "free market will fix this" argument would fly. It doesn't. The barriers to entry are so high the existing entities get to act in monopolistic "we got the goods" ways.

It costs billions to build the type of infrastructure that net neutrality is meant to govern. The existing providers ability to raise billions in the past was only possible by virture of the quasi-monopoly rights and long-term grants of right given - BY governmental agencies - TO the "now large enough to succeed" providers. I know. I sat on a board that listened to the "if you don't pass this long term contract your residents will be denied our services . . but not by any malice" arguments.

So, it's great when we, the people - i.e., "the government" - enable monopolistic behemouths to exist and grow, but it's bad when that same government - us, the governed - say "Whoa! Not like that!"?

Bologna. We the people, a/k/a "the government by the people, for the people" - who fostered and enabled these behemouths to grow - get to vote and we have every right to "just say NO".

In case your legislator or senator hasn't heard from you it's time you, the people, vote so he/she knows who he/she is representing when voting, i.e., the people who will throw him/her out . . depending on which side has the greater heft-and-throw. :P