I don't understand? Apparently, neither do the founders of Ebay, Amazon, or Craigslist. Do you honestly think that figures who have that much background in this industry (and armies of researchers) are worried about nothing? I'm in good company. But of course, your experience reading and signing peering agreements must sure outweigh their experience with the internet. 
If I sound like I'm smiling at you, it's because I am. High school economics: In a monopoly situation, market forces have very little effect on product. There is no incentive to innovate, or to compete price-wise, because there is no competition. I knew this when I was 14. 
If it was easy to start an ISP, there would be more ISPs. In many states, it is even illegal for a *municipality* to run an ISP, or to offer community / muni wifi, because the Bells claim that this is unfair competition and interferes with their state-mandated monopoly. The Bells have received tax breaks, incentives, and other public funds to build a network that isn't, as far as I know, even close to what was promised. Are you contesting this? Because even the Bells don't contest this...they make excuses for it. 
How could such an action benefit the provider in question? You claim to not have seen a single suggestion of how this could benefit the provider? Try reading posts other than yours for a change. If SBC forces users to use Yahoo over Google, then they benefit because they own Yahoo. If they gain the right to charge Google extra fees for delivering search services over their networks, they gain monetarily. If they gain the right to influence content to further their political agenda, they put sock puppets like Bobby Rush in office, who can continue to champion legislation on their behalf (like this act). Rush's biggest campaign contributors are telcos, including $1m spent on his pet nonprofit in Englewood. Need more examples to prove they'd have something to gain?
It is *not* an argument against monopoly standing to say "but they could start their own companies". A monopoly is defined as controling a certain percentage of market share. Not "SBC doesn't have a monopoly because citizens could run their own ISPs" ...if the economic model allowed individuals to run their own ISPs, there would be no need for a government mandated monopoly in the first place. If I don't like my power company, I can't start my own. 
And backhaul doesn't come from the sky. Or it might, but then I'd be paying a satellite provider. Either way, building an ISP in my backyard overnight is simply not an option.
Get over yourself, buddy. There are a lot of techies here. More importantly, there are several people on this forum who seem to understand basic economics, business principles, or telecom history. You don't. Either take the time to read the material or stop acting like your techie experience gives you an understanding of telecom law. For someone who didn't know what network neutrality was when this debate started, you've certainly become quite the overnight expert.
  Dave.