[1st-mile-nm] Fwd: Genachowski to reclassify portions of broadband to assert FCC authority over Internet access

[Gnarlodious]

I support this regulatory move. Without it we are likely to see a
despotic system where only a few giant corporate ISPs control what we
see and do on the internet.

Our water and sewer systems are "public utilities" because they are
essential to the function of civilized people. It was realized long
ago that privately owned corporations would abuse a single pipeline to
gain total control of a resource. This is the "Hydraulic Empire" model
of resource allocation that ancient warlords invented to control the
entire population. We do not have 6 different water pipes coming into
our houses so we can choose from the lowest bidder, what a ridiculous
idea. The compromise between these two extremes of supply-and-demand
is that these utilities are supplied and controlled by the
municipality.

Likewise our electric supply is under tight regulation from the PRC,
because the "natural monopoly" of a one-wire delivery system is
universally recognized. It is not feasable to have multiple providers
for electricity, the "Free Market" principle of competition does not
apply to one-pipeline distribution systems. Therefore we claim these
systems to be part of "The Commons". Publicly owned or controlled
distribution of a vital resource.

We elect our policymakers and live to enjoy or regret our decision. We
do, however, have some control over policy. Under the corporate
despotism model of distribution, we have zero control over policy. As
an example, consider the horrendous state of Cable TV. People don't
really want 200 channels of crap, but it's cheap content and a great
wrapper for advertising, which is where Cable TV makes all its money.
This situation despite the fact that Cable TV companies could not
exist without being allowed to run their wires over PUBLICLY OWNED
right-of-way.

There is even some question over whether or not Cable TV is a
"Utility" deserving of right-of-way access. certainly Cable TV is not
an essential commodity like water, sewer and electricity. It could be
argued that Cable TV is essential to Democracy by keeping the
electorate well-informed, but whenever I watch Cable TV news all I see
is corporate propaganda. Except for when I am watching Democracy Now,
in which case I see anarchist propaganda.

Internet access is a more vital part of Democracy than any Cable TV,
and now giant corporations are staking their claim. We must, to
preserve Free Speech, exert our citizen's authority over internet
access.

-- Rachel Cogent
http://Gnarlodious.com/