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| Time | Text |
|---|---|
| Thanks for watching! | |
| We're talking! | |
| So just what is Obama's proposed net neutrality plan? | |
| Well, that's the problem. | |
| Nobody quite knows for sure. | |
| The FCC has made it clear that they will not release the 332-page plan to regulate the Internet until after the agency votes on it. | |
| Other times we've heard this, we've got to pass it to find out what's in it. | |
| It hasn't really fared well for the American consumer. | |
| Now, one of the FCC commissioners, Ajit Pai, has gone rogue. | |
| He's been publishing a few articles in recent weeks. | |
| These are press releases that other FCC leadership has moved to block. | |
| And he's basically warning citizens and lawmakers that this net neutrality is a bad deal. | |
| Pai writes, The most problematic may be the new Internet Conduct Rule. | |
| It's a vague rule that gives the FCC almost unfettered discretion to micromanage virtually every aspect of the Internet, including the choices that consumers have for accessing it. | |
| This includes restricting service plan options, including unlimited online streaming, as well as low-price, prepaid voice plans, which are used by millions of low-income households. | |
| When consumers have more choices, they can find lower prices. | |
| But the FCC wants to do away with anything but one-size-fits-all plans. | |
| Think of it like how all of your health insurance plans now include prenatal care, even if you're a 75-year-old retiree. | |
| Allowing for new business models is critical to promote competition. | |
| How can we expect entrepreneurs to stand out from their competition if they aren't able to compete with a standardized plan? | |
| Clearly, the President's plan is only going to benefit the existing Internet giants. | |
| But the issue is, the Internet isn't broke. | |
| We don't need the president to fix it. | |
| Pai says the Internet is an unparalleled success story. | |
| It is a free, open and thriving platform for civic and political engagement, | |
| economic growth, educational opportunity, entertainment and much more. | |
| It has made the United States the epicenter of innovation. | |
| Plus, current law already protects consumers and competition online, | |
| and the president's plan would strip away those existing protections. | |
| The Federal Trade Commission has the authority to quickly protect consumers and aggressively police market power and fraud in the Internet economy. | |
| Regulating the Internet like a public utility would strip the FTC of these powers. | |
| Why would we want to do that when the Internet has flourished under the current regulatory model? | |
| Doesn't make sense. | |
| 79% of Americans want to see the plan before the vote on February 26th. | |
| Isn't it about time that Obama made good on his campaign promise to be the most transparent administration ever? |
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