Stand up for a free and open Internet!

[ViviTheMage]

I remember a while back emailing my Senator because of a post made in ATOT. well, here is his reply....

Dear Anthony:

Thank you for contacting me about government mandates on
Internet service providers, commonly referred to as "Network
Neutrality" restrictions.

Network Neutrality would make it illegal for Internet service
providers to show preference to one content provider over another.
The telecommunications overhaul legislation recently passed by
the House provides the FCC with the statutory authority to levy a
fine up to $500,000 for each offense of four basic principles,
including downgrading or blocking of any legal Internet source.

The "Markey amendment," which was actively supported by
content providers such as Microsoft and Google, would have
placed far greater restrictions on Internet service providers by
prohibiting them from entering future contracts with content
providers that would increase the speed of that provider's content.

Had the Markey amendment been passed into law, it would have
marked the first major government regulation of the Internet, and I
believe the rapid growth and vibrancy of the Internet and e-
commerce provide a very compelling case for the government to
maintain its hands-off approach to Internet regulation. The
Markey amendment failed by a bipartisan vote of 152-269, and the
underlying legislation passed overwhelmingly by a vote of 321-
101. It now moves to the Senate where it is expected to be
addressed later this year.

Thanks again for contacting me, as I appreciate hearing from you.
Please let me know whenever I can be helpful to you or your
family.

Sincerely,



JIM RAMSTAD
Member of CongressQ]