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gnostication
05-05-2006, 12:29 PM
So what do you guys think? Have you heard about congress trying to let AT&T and other companies tax the Internet?

I think anyone who is doing business on the internet or is considering doing business on the internet should be concerned with recent attempts to limit free trade on the internet.

I believe that any control of trade is against capitalism, even if (or perhaps especially if) it is by big companies controling a market or way of doing business.

Read about how they want to control the internet. (http://www.civic.moveon.org/save_the_internet?track_referer=706%7C6693277-ilsdhHNULr3RV3ryZqcZuQ)

Internet providers like AT&T are lobbying Congress hard to gut Network Neutrality--the Internet's First Amendment and the key to Internet freedom. Net Neutrality prevents AT&T from choosing which websites open most easily for you based on which site pays AT&T more. BarnesandNoble.com doesn't have to outbid Amazon for the right to work properly on your computer.

If Net Neutrality is gutted, many sites--including Google, eBay, and iTunes--must either pay protection money to companies like AT&T or risk having their websites process slowly.

If you agree with the potential damage that this bill poses, sign the petition to have it stopped (http://www.civic.moveon.org/save_the_internet?track_referer=706%7C6693277-ilsdhHNULr3RV3ryZqcZuQ). Otherwise, post your comments and let me know what you think. I'm interested with how people stand on this subject.

the tree
05-05-2006, 12:42 PM
meh, I think that companies have a right to allow thier customers to go elsewhere. If some ISP wants to restrict thier customers access to the Internet then it's thier fault for being stupid.

gnostication
05-05-2006, 01:02 PM
but if you put in place a system where every company *has to* charge to compete, every company will do it.

I don't know if you have a cell phone, but I've been with 4 different cell companies and they ALL pass surcharges on to me. Not all of it is taxes, but I haven't found a way to get around it.

I see this very same thing happening to the internet. basicly, taxing it.

the tree
05-05-2006, 01:09 PM
I just can't imagine a system like that succeeding.

The Little Guy
05-05-2006, 02:09 PM
People could protest, and make the company loose all their money, and go bankrupt, putting them out of business.

wh666-666
05-05-2006, 07:37 PM
Thats like saying "Hey here's an idea, why dont we eradicate internet pornography". Like both it just isnt gonna happen. I dont think they would succeed in taxing the internet and even if they taxed every ISP for its users its virtually impossible to tax a user for their usage.

MstrBob
05-06-2006, 12:24 PM
Net Neutrality is an issue which most people, unfortunately, aren't aware of. Most don't know of the telecoms' recent lobbying for this, and many who do are apathetic. Don't assume that this won't happen; if no one makes a big deal about it, it will happen. The internet in the US is run by several large companies. There is no other competition to stop them, the few smaller ISP must use the larger ISP's cable.

The lack of concern is the same reason we have the DMCA today, with a newer, stricter one preparing to enter the floor for passage.

For any user of the internet, and every online company that uses the internet, Net Neutrality should be of utmost importance.

theuedimaster
05-07-2006, 09:55 PM
Long live Net Neutrality!

Mouse77e
05-08-2006, 03:13 AM
Thank god I live in the UK... i could be wrong but the US goverment seems to be funded by, interested only in and led by the $$$... the land of the free, Free to pay!!!

wh666-666
05-08-2006, 08:10 PM
I live in UK as well mouse ... i wouldnt say thank god though, at least in US you can escape across state like texas or nevada or over in to mexico ... In the UK im surrounded with nowhere to escape!! At least in the US they hopefully tax more evenely than in the UK

Mouse77e
05-09-2006, 05:33 AM
I live in UK as well mouse ... i wouldnt say thank god though, at least in US you can escape across state like texas or nevada or over in to mexico ... In the UK im surrounded with nowhere to escape!! At least in the US they hopefully tax more evenely than in the UK
but don't you find it incredible that in the worlds largest dimocracy large companies can lobby and buy the laws that suite them... funny way to run a rail road...

wh666-666
05-09-2006, 07:41 PM
lol it is a bit but i suppose the charm of the US. To be honest though id prefer that rather than our prime minister in UK and the decisions passed in this country, he acts rather like a smurf handpuppet with rectal blue-tack disorder