Obama must show he supports net neutrality -- here's how
Opinion / James P. Tuthill, sfgate.com / 4-29-14
Tom Wheeler, the chairman of the Federal Communications Commission appointed by President Obama, dropped a bombshell last week: Internet service providers such as Comcast would be allowed to charge Internet content providers, like eBay, more for faster speeds to reach end users. This reversed the FCC's policy, which was developed over years of thorough analysis. Winners will be the Internet service providers. Losers will be consumers, innovators and startups.
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When Wheeler announced in February that the FCC would not appeal the federal court decision overturning the net neutrality rules, he said he fully supported those rules and would "initiate several steps to ensure that the Internet remains a platform for innovation, economic growth and free expression." But his proposal revealed last week, if reports are valid, throws the net neutrality principles under the bus. And if it's adopted, it will only feed gargantuan service providers like Comcast. That's why the president must act.
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The only ways to block Wheeler's proposal are for either the Senate to impeach him or for the president to replace him as chairman.
Obama probably does not have the legal power to remove him as a commissioner, but he can replace him and designate one of the other commissioners as chair. And he should.
FULL PIECE: http://www.sfgate.com/default/article/Obama-must-show-he-supports-net-neutrality-5440103.php
Mr. President … do the right thing.
