US Lawmakers Propose New Net Neutrality Bill

An anonymous reader brings news that Net Neutrality legislation is making another comeback. A new bill, sponsored by Rep. John Conyers (D-MI), would make ISPs who fail to provide service in a non-discriminatory manner subject to anti-trust violations. From the NYTimes: "'The bill squarely addresses the issue of the enormous market power of the telephone and cable companies as the providers of 98 percent of the broadband service in the country,' said Gigi Sohn, president of Public Knowledge. But broadband providers and some congressional Republicans have argued that net neutrality legislation isn't necessary. The broadband market is becoming more competitive and net neutrality regulations could hamper investment in broadband networks, some Republicans said during a hearing this week."

Comments

Re:Parse these lies

[rukkyg]

In the '90s, Clinton deregulated several industries. Among them: commercial power, media, and investment banking.

Current situation in commercial power: deregulated markets are seeing huge increases in rates; there is little-to-no new-plant build, the infrastructure is crumbling, and brown-outs all over the country are likely to be necessary within a decade unless something changes.

Current situation in media: there are 3 media companies, owned by even larger companies, that provide something like 85% of all media in the United States. They focus on profit and entertainment over truth and Real News. They peddle non-issues like Wright and Fake News like WomanWithHalfGallonSilliconBoob stories. Faux News is awful, but CNN and MSNBC aren't much better. ABC is owned by Disney. NBC is owned by GE. CBS is owned by Viacom. About 40% of Americans still think that Saddam Hussein had something to do with Al Quaeda. And some ridiculously high number believe God created the planet and the universe and everything on it 6000 years ago.

Current situation in investment banking: investment bankers invested in sub-prime high-risk mortgages. They used their investments as a way to boost their image to stockholders. The sudden drop in housing values had one firm almost going under, saved by the Fed, and others talking about the apocalypse coming. CEOs of these companies are walking away with millions while thousands of Americans that were sold a dream of low mortgage payments (they're to blame too, but they're the ignorant ones) are losing their homes, and it's dragging down the whole economy.

Tell me again, how is it that deregulation helps?