After FCC Chairman Ajit Pai said in a speech that he wants to reverse net neutrality rules and end open and free Internet, Sen. Al Franken (D-MN) went off and vowed to fight the Chairman’s proposal to destroy the Internet.
In a statement provided to PoliticusUSA, Sen. Franken said, “For as long as the internet has existed, it’s been grounded on the principle of net neutrality—that what you read, see, or watch on the internet shouldn’t be favored, blocked, or slowed down based on where that content is coming from. Net neutrality allows a small business in Minnesota to compete with the big guys, it drives innovation, and it protects free speech. But the new head of the FCC, Ajit Pai, announced that he’s putting the rules that safeguard net neutrality on the chopping block. Let me be very clear: getting rid of net neutrality would destroy the internet as we know it. I plan to fight Chairman Pai’s proposal—and the big cable and internet companies who are the real muscle behind this attack—every step of the way, because consumers, small businesses, and all Americans deserve an open internet.â€
Republicans are dreaming of turning the Internet over to the big Internet Service Providers. They want the Internet corporatized so that it is no longer forum for free speech, innovation, and independence.
Donald Trump doesn’t use the Internet in a conventional sense. He doesn’t own a computer or send email. Trump uses Twitter from his phone. This president doesn’t understand the value of the Internet. He is putting his corporate profit first ideology to work to destroy a vital engine for innovation, growth, and communication.
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Sen. Franken is a hero for vowing to defend net neutrality, and what is needed right now is for millions of more Americans to stand with him.
Jason is the managing editor. He is also a White House Press Pool and a Congressional correspondent for PoliticusUSA. Jason has a Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science. His graduate work focused on public policy, with a specialization in social reform movements.
Awards and Professional Memberships
Member of the Society of Professional Journalists and The American Political Science Association
