Microcosm of How the Right Crushes Economies
Posted: Thu Dec 22, 2016 6:42 am
Why do Republicans hate competition and freedom?
http://gizmodo.com/remaining-fcc-commis ... D=ref_farkThe FCC’s net neutrality rules are returning to the crosshairs of Republicans. Two of the remaining FCC commissioners, both members of the GOP, have promised internet service providers (ISPs) lobbying groups they will begin gutting net neutrality rules “as soon as possible.”
FCC chairmen Ajit Pai and Michael O’Rielly sent a joint letter to the telecom industry’s five largest lobbying groups this week promising to reverse legislation meant to protect consumers from internet speed throttling:
As you know, we dissented from the Commission’s February 2015 Net Neutrality decision, including the Order’s imposition of unnecessary and unjustified burdens on providers ... we will seek to revisit those particular requirements, and the Title II Net Neutrality proceeding more broadly, as soon as possible.
The letter essentially serves as a warning to net neutrality supporters. FCC chairman Tom Wheeler, a Democrat, is set to leave office when Donald Trump takes office on January 20. Wheeler’s departure will significantly expose the net neutrality rules passed last year with only Democratic votes.
Pai and O’Reilly will have 2-1 Republican majority after Wheeler’s departure. Donald Trump will then nominate two new members to the FCC after taking the presidency, and his nominations will be confirmed by the Senate. The process typically takes several months to complete, which means Pai and O’Reilly will have months to oversee federal rule-making.
