THE NET NEUTRALITY CON

Richard Rahn writes:

You probably have seen the ads about the "net neutrality" bills before Congress, concerning who gets to manage and set fees for access to the Internet. The House of Representatives has just done the right thing by defeating the so-called net neutrality proposals, and the issue is now before the Senate.

The "net neutrality" advocates are a strange coalition of leftist political groups hostile to property rights, self-appointed consumer groups totally ignorant of good economics, and a few large business users of the Internet (such as Google) who want the telecom companies to provide them a free ride for their demands for a more robust network.

To understand the fight, you need to be aware of the economic interests of the various players."

About two weeks ago, I sent emails to Representative Jim Ramstad (R-MN) and to Senator Norm Coleman (R-MN) requesting they vote no on the net neutrality bill.

Mr. Ramstad responded saying that he agreed with me that "network neutrality" would mark the first major government regulation of the internet. He correctly pointed out that the rapid growth and vibrancy of the internet and all the e-commerce it provides, makes a compelling case that the government should continue its' virtually hands-off approach.

He said that this is why he voted against the Markey amendment during the House floor debate; the amendment would have codified strict network neutrality conditions on Internet service providers. The amendment failed 269 to 152. The underlying bill passed, where it will go before the Senate.

He says he will continue to oppose unwarranted government regulation of the internet. Good for you Mr. Ramstad.

Senator Coleman, on the other hand, sent me an email that was quite vague and was typical spin quite befitting of a politician. From this I gather he supports "net neutrality," which is really government regulation and taxation of the internet.

I'm hoping I misinterpreted Mr. Coleman's position.

For a simplified pro and con synopsis of the Markey amendment and the "net neutrality" provision, read Congressman Ed Markey’s Amendment Could Begin Government Control Over the Internet.

If the ACLU supports it, then I know it cannot be a good piece of legislation.

Mr. Richard Rahn sums it up by saying,

Thinking people and those who remember history have noticed markets tend to solve problems and government tends to create them. Competition, not "net neutrality," is the best consumer protection."