FCC Expands Internet Takeover, Adds Bailouts and Price

[Geee]

American Thinker:

While the House of Representatives was debating HJ-37, a resolution to return internet policy decisions to Congress, the FCC was implementing the next phase of its regulatory imposition upon the internet. That latest FCC move extends internet regulation to wireless while creating a crony capitalist system of regulatory bailouts and price controls.

Buttressing the FCC, the Free Press lobby group held a gala event in Boston to promote internet operation by the FCC. Speaking at the gala, former Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi attacked the House resolution to exercise congressional oversight of the FCC. "I don't think this bill is going anyplace," Pelosi said. "No one should be guarding the gate on the internet."

Meanwhile, Joe Newby at the Spokane Examiner reports on an appearance by Rep. Ed Markey (D-MA) at another venue. Newby reports that Markey said, "Republicans are trying to pass legislation destroying the World Wide Web," Markey whined, adding "and they're also trying to pass legislation to help destroy the whole wide world."

What brought us to this point? First, the initial FCC internet regulatory takeover covered broadband -- such as fiber, cable, and DSL -- but not wireless. Next, the courts became involved when Verizon and MetroPCS sued the FCC in January. Those lawsuits have been dismissed on a technicality: "Legal action can only be filed in the 30 days following the publishing of the policies in the Federal Register." Verizon has indicated its intention to re-file; MetroPCS has not announced its intentions.