where...
Where will we draw the line?
When will we say enough??
What will finally provoke spontaneous direction action???
Posted on 10/12/2010 3:04:44 PM PDT by La Lydia
November 30th, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) could potentially engage in one of the largest federal power grabs we have ever seen. After two years of this Presidential Administration and this Congress, that is saying an awful lot about an awful lot. And what’s worse, the FCC would be doing it without Congress weighing in. At the FCC’s November meeting – note the coincidental date of choice, AFTER the impending election – three unelected bureaucrats (of five) could simply vote themselves rulers of 1/6th of our entire economy – the information and technology sector.
Meaning the Internet that you currently enjoy – that has been a marvel of economic and information innovation and success – will be subject to vast new governmental regulations. You didn’t elect these people – but they are on the verge of electing themselves Internet overlords.
The Internet is the future – and increasingly the present – of news and information delivery. With each passing day, we move a little further away from the old media models – print, broadcast and cable television, radio – and towards an all-Web world. Eventually, most or all of the news and information we get – written, and spoken into microphones and cameras – will be on and for the Internet.
And we are on the verge of having this new world – the all-encompassing future of First Amendment free speech in America – swallowed up by three unelected D.C. bureaucrats and their Commission. This is one of the most important battles ever waged in Washington – and precious little is known about it outside the Beltway.
What we are talking about is Internet reclassification. What that means is the FCC – which by its own admission doesn’t have authority over the Web – would just vote itself said authority. By reclassifying the Internet – so that it would be subject to the same rules as landline telephones.
The FCC has long had tremendous power over landline telephones, which is why there has been so much incredible innovation with them these last 70+ years. (Note: tremendous sarcasm here.) The FCC has no power over the Internet because the FCC doesn’t have power over anything until Congress writes a law saying they do. And Congress has never done this for the FCC with the Internet.
It’s not just me saying this. 299 members of Congress have said so – a large bipartisan majority. More than 150 organizations, state legislators and bloggers have said so. So have seventeen minority groups – that are usually almost always in Democrat lockstep...
Creepy if true. I hope such a thing doesn’t happen, but with this government, who knows?
Democrats
Communists
‘Progressives’
Socialists
TYRANTS
I’ve been dreading something like this since Obama took office and it looks like it’s coming soon. I hope that this can be tied up in court and eventually adjudicated and found unconstitutional. The FCC ‘decreeing’ their agency as having authority over the internet is typical of leftist’s arrogance but it has to be stopped. This will be another reason to vote Republican on November 2nd.
Ping for later
More gubmint tyranny..
the FCC shouldn’t exist beyond facilitiating spectrum sales.
It will be the last mistake this government will ever make.
More Marxism coming down the pike....
where...
It is not out of the question for the FCC to try for regulatory despotism, but it’s not 2008. Even the jaded of the Dobombocrats who will be running in 2012 have a vested interest in not rocking that boat. For one, enforcement of their regulations would logistically problematic and lead to widespread rebellion among their own base as well as massive international confusion. Heck, DHS can’t even keep up with their first year schedule on Obamacare. I can just as easily see a veto proof law from congress removing significant regulatory power from the FCC in retaliation. This November election is about more than just the number of seats won it’s about a huge political mandate by the people.
Oh, it can happen alright. The government has already done it with computer keyboards.
You got that right. So far, their bullsnot has been benign enough that we've been willing to wait for election day to straighten it out. If they ever make it clear that our votes can no longer deal with their tyranny, God help 'em. Or not... makes little difference.
Hey FCC, can you say "last straw?" I knew you could.
;^\
I think any such attempt would provoke spontaneous COMBUSTION on the part of the American people.
I agree!
“... a large bipartisan majority.”
Any conservatives in that rotten group? Who?
They won’t be able to hold onto it for long if they try.
After a group of hackers crash the entire FCC’c computer network for the 8th or 9th time they will run away like the beated dogs they are!
This is troublesome and even tyrannical, but it is difficult to call unconstitutional. The FCC doesn’t make rules without the authority of Congress: they propose, and Congress adopts these proposals into law.
Further, the telephone system and the internet are things that cross state lines, making them pretty clearly interstate commerce. Congress can regulate them.
The real problem is Congress’ delegation of their authority to unelected and pretty much unaccountable party hacks. The next Congress should adopt a rule making it out of order to adopt the findings of a commission into a law, or to present the work of any outside group as a bill.
I mean, honestly: did Congress really write either TARP or ObamaCare?
Why the hate for the FCC, the hackers should be equal opportunity hackers. Lets see.... how bout the EPA, FDA, FED Reserve, Education administration.. there have to be more, this would be a good example of social justice as well.
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