Freshman
Undecided
Sociology of the Family
The Future of the Net
The Internet is by far the most influential and prominent medium through which
information is transferred. Over the last decade the world wide web has made its way into
almost every home in America and has implanted itself into this country's culture. What
makes the Internet so unique is the fact that on the web nobody is restricted. Anybody,
regardless of financial backing or social standing has an equal voice because everyone is
free to spread their own unique message. This freedom is in jeopardy. Many Internet
providers have localized monopolies and have decided to lobby for the right to restrict Internet
access much the same way cable companies restrict television access depending on which
package the homeowner is paying for. This issue affects everyone. Soon the voices of the
disadvantaged may be silenced forever because they are too poor to gain an unrestricted
connection to the Internet. Net neutrality is one of the most important issues in this upcoming
election. Barack Obama is the only candidate who supports the maintaining a truly neutral
net and as such should receive special mention in the upcoming election.
The Internet was founded on the idea that it was possible to network computers so that
data could freely be shared and accessed by all who participate. For Internet companies to
privilege access to those who are willing to pay more, they are “threatening the equality of
speech through which the Internet has begun to transform American political and cultural
discourse,” (Obama). In many neighborhoods, however, there is only a choice between one
or two major companies who offer a speedy and reliable connection to the Internet. These
companies have already established their networks and are making a large margin of profit as
it is. Now, many Internet Service Providers (ISPs) seek to limit or restrict access to the
Internet as a whole, choosing only to allow unrestricted access to those who are willing to pay
premium rates for their service. To the majority of Americans who live in these neighborhoods
there is no way to avoid paying these premium rates since there are no other providers in the
area. This is devastating to those who benefit from the cornucopia of information and
opportunity that the open net provides today.
It was not that long ago that the Internet was still a theory, yet in these few years it has
become a staple in every American's household. Regular access to the net is an invaluable
tool that helps people to stay informed, businesses to regulate transactions, and students to
easily access entire databases of information. By charging premium rates for unrestricted
web access, these companies are indirectly ensuring that children from underprivileged
families are denied the right to visit websites saturated with the information that they need to
get ahead in school. By maintaining net neutrality, Barack Obama is ensuring that everyone
regardless of Internet Service Provider is allowed access to any and all of the information that
the Internet has to offer. The web is a valuable resource and it must remain available for
anyone who has a desire to utilize it in a way that is educational and enriching.
The Internet also acts as a very convenient way to regulate small and home
businesses. Every major corporation has an established website. Company websites allow
potential customers to learn information about products and buy them right there from the
comfort of their own home. On a regulated net, budding companies must pay Internet Service
Providers a hefty fee in order for their website to even be visited by potential customers.
Multi-billion dollar corporations have no problem paying this fee upfront, but budding
businesses who cannot afford the fee are at a serious disadvantage and are more likely to
fail. Under Barack Obama's plan to protect the openness of the Internet “new competitors
and open non-profit organizations have the same opportunity as incumbents on the Internet to
reach large audiences,” (Obama). This is especially helpful to the plethora of people who
regulate a businesses using web based components. An open web maintains small family
owned businesses and does not help engorge corporate America.
Senator John McCain heads the Republican campaign for presidency and will be
running against Barack Obama in the case that Barack wins the primary. As such, his views
on net neutrality also pertain to those concerned about this issue. Unfortunately John
McCain's main focus is the elimination of Internet taxes. He has no opinion on the subject of
net neutrality, which leads me to believe that not many political representatives are informed
on such a pressing issue. This only bolsters my esteem for Barack Obama since he is on the
cutting edge of this none to publicized issue. A restricted access to the net will have a drastic
impact on homes across the country; the fact that he realizes these repercussions far before
his competitors even touch upon the subject lead me to believe that Obama is an informed
individual who is keen to the subjects that matter most to America's families and youth.
Net neutrality is a very pressing issue that has much of the Internet community
desperate for action. Internet Service Providers must not be allowed to charge premiums for
a net that is inherently free. The Internet provides the disadvantaged with a voice and allows
them access to information that might not be obtainable through public education. Web
based businesses should be allowed to operate without the added necessity to pay
broadband companies for availability. Obama realizes that an open net provides these
opportunities and that a regulated net would be a retardation of free speech and free
enterprise. As the only representative who has taken a vocal stance on net neutrality, Barack
Obama deserves to be allowed the privilege to protect these rights at the executive level. A
regulated net only exacerbates spirals of poverty and prevents the the American people from
informing themselves on important world issues. Obama seeks to prevent this and, thus, has
my vote.