Keep the Internet in the hands of the public

Regulating net neutrality would kill the Internet. The Internet is publicly funded through tax dollars and is considered to be a public common good.

In Jay Walljasper's book, 'All That We Share,” he talks about how we as a society should take back or keep up with providing common goods for everyone. The commons, as Walljasper put it, is available for everyone and does not discriminate, but only enhances the lives of those who use it. Limiting the content of the Internet is the first step in losing one of the greatest commons amenities in society.

If net neutrality regulations get passed, then Internet service providers will parcel out bandwidth, which will lower the quality of the experience that users have with the Internet. Some cable companies that also provide Internet have been throttling Internet speeds to sites such as Netflix, HBO GO and Hulu. Television/movie-streaming Internet sites are in direct competition with cable companies that will see their subscription rates go down if users have positive experiences with these streaming sites. These same cable companies are the ones who are lobbying for more regulations on the Internet, which would give them more control and be able to continue reducing streaming speeds for video streaming.

Keep the Internet a part of the commons to ensure that the Internet we know today does not become ancient history. Email, call or write your local congressman saying that you are against Internet regulations.

Greg Licht

Iowa City