Just days before its October 22, 2009 meeting on new “net neutrality” regulations, the Federal Communications Commission was bombarded with messages from high-ranking elected officials telling the commissioners to tone it down.

The messages, from both Republicans and a surprisingly high number of Democrats, sought to persuade the FCC commissioners to slow down and take a deep breath before placing oppressive regulations on an Internet industry that has brought innovation and investment to communities across America.

As the Wall Street Journal reported:

At last count, there have been 11 letters from governors (a mix of Republicans and Democrats), 18 Republican Senators, House minority leadership and now, the 72 House Democrats, which includes 18 members of the Congressional Black Caucus, 31 Blue Dog Democrats and 10 members of the House Energy & Commerce Committee, which has jurisdiction over the FCC.

In the letter signed by 72 House Democrats, the lawmakers conclude, “In light of the growth and innovation in new applications that the current regime has enabled, as compared to the limited evidence demonstrating any tangible harm, we would urge you to avoid any tentative conclusions which favor government regulation.”

Of the 72 House Democrats signing the letter, six are from states where MCA operates:

Arkansas
Rep. Mike Ross

Kansas
Rep. Dennis Moore

Missouri
Rep. Wm. Lacy Clay
Rep. Russ Carnahan
Rep. Emanuel Cleaver

Oklahoma
Rep. Dan Boren

These six account for two-thirds of all House Democrat members from the MCA states.

And anytime 72 Democrat Members of the U.S. House of Representatives agree that increased regulation is bad, people should take notice. In this case, the people taking notice should be the FCC commissioners.

The big question is why are so many lawmakers from both sides of the aisle coming to the conclusion that “net neutrality” regulations would be harmful? Here are several reasons:

1. Competition and innovation are thriving without burdensome regulations

As MCA pointed out in this opinion piece, competition in the wireless market has benefitted millions of consumers by providing more choice, more innovation, and the lowest cost in the world for wireless service. Americans use their wireless devices more than the citizens of any other country because a light regulatory structure has allowed competition to thrive. There is no reason for the FCC to fix something that isn’t broken.

2. Network investment will suffer if “net neutrality” regulations are imposed by the FCC.

As House Minority Leader John A. Boehner, R-Ohio, and House Republican whip Eric Cantor, R-Va., recently wrote in a letter to President Obama, “We believe that network neutrality regulations would actually thwart further broadband investment and availability, and that a well-reasoned broadband plan would confirm our view,” Boehner and Cantor concluded, “So to hastily begin the process of adopting network neutrality rules months before issuing such a plan implies that politics are driving the FCC’s decision-making process.”

3. The Internet must remain free to be an economic driver for the U.S. economy.

“As Americans wade through the current economic situation, a decision by the FCC to discourage broadband investment would be irresponsible,” Boehner and Cantor wrote. “The United States needs broadband providers to increase investment and create jobs. This will not occur if broadband providers are saddled with unnecessary, burdensome requirements that interfere with their ability to manage their networks and create innovative broadband products that maximize consumer choice and benefit.”

4. Proposed “net neutrality” regulations would hamper President Obama’s goal of universal broadband access and threaten minority communities.

In a recent letter to FCC commissioners, numerous minority groups including the NAACP, the League of United Latin American Citizens, and the National Disability Institute argued that imposing new rules on Internet traffic could impede Obama’s goal of 100% broadband access for America. The groups stated, “As organizations that serve communities that are among the most severely impacted by a lack of access to technology, we urge you to keep your number one focus on the need to get everyone connected. We are concerned that some of the proposed regulations on the Internet could, as applied, inhibit the goal of universal access and leave disenfranchised communities further behind. We are also concerned that some proposed regulations could inhibit investments being made by companies employing hundreds of thousands of workers and connecting millions to the opportunities that broadband technology affords to those in our community – from telemedicine to distance learning to applying for jobs online.”

But if the flood of bipartisan objections to the their proposed “net neutrality” rules weren’t enough for the FCC commissioners, now members of the general public can voice their opposition to the proposed regulations as well.

If you agree with these bipartisan groups and numerous Republican and Democrat lawmakers that “net neutrality” regulations would be bad for America, MCA urges you to click this link to sign our NO Net Neutrality petition and let the FCC know how you feel.

Also, feel free to leave a comment here in our blog!

Additional Information on Net Neutrality

Press release from the Institute for Policy Innovation opposing net neutrality regulations

Neutering the ‘Net

Is the FCC neutralizing innovation?

Network neutrality? How about FCC neutrality?

The Day Internet Freedom Died

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