Net Neutrality

PATRIOTS

Obamacare, the VA scandal, the IRS scandal--these are just a few examples of what happens when we give government huge power without oversight.

It's about to happen again--the Obama Administration is fighting for a government takeover of the Internet and the Federal Communications Commission is going to vote on it February 26th. That's why I am writing you today--I need your help to stop this.

President Obama came out a few weeks ago urging the FCC to vote to regulate the Internet the same way that it regulates public utilities under Title II. What this means is that, for the first time, billions of dollars in fees will be attached to Internet service just like they are to telephone service.

You see, under Title II if someone wants to own a telephone company, there are fees baked into the law--fees companies pass on to customers.

Now, under this new regulatory regime, Internet service providers will be subject to these fees as well, and then pass them on to you, the consumer.

This is essentially a massive tax increase on the middle class, being passed in the dead of night without the American public really being made aware of what is going on.

The Internet is built on speed and dynamism, it’s always changing, there are always new and better ideas that are exploding onto the scene,and part of the reason for that is that innovators are not having to go ask Washington, DC for permission every time they want to do something new.

What this really comes down to is a fundamental question:
Who do you want in charge of the direction of the Internet: people at dot-com start ups that brought us game changing companies like Facebook, Google, Twitter, Amazon and Uber; or nameless, faceless, unelected bureaucrats in our nation’s capital?

There is another aspect of this that gets overlooked: the Internet is an incredibly important force for freedom, for liberty, and the rights of free speech that we hold dear. It is an existential threat to tyrants in countries like Iran, Saudi Arabia, and Russia who seek to keep information from their people.

We must preserve the high ground for the United States to stand up to these countries and tell them to keep the Internet free and preserve free speech on the Internet throughout the world. We cannot do that if we are regulating the Internet in a similar manner ourselves.

I am not accusing anyone of sinister motives here, but I am deeply concerned about the idea of any government bureaucrat having the power to tell companies what they can and cannot do. In the long term, this could have a chilling effect on political speech, in ways that today we could not even begin to imagine.

We do not have much time left to stop this gigantic government takeover of the Internet. The FCC is voting on February 26th and the Left is mobilizing to support their effort to do so. We cannot let the conversation be totally one-sided. The FCC needs to hear from us today--not tomorrow or next week or next month. Today.

Please join me and go sign the petition to keep the Internet free. We must stand for liberty and preserve the Internet free of government interference.

If you value free speech with the internet, NOW is the TIME TO ACT!

http://start.protectinternetfreedom.com/?utm_source=CC&utm_medi...

In addition to signing the petition in this email, please call your Congressman and U. S. Senator (contact list at bottom of this email). Also, enclosed is a sample letter to FCC Commissioner, but can also be used to write your Senator or Congressman. The FCC is taking comments through Feb. 26th. please ACT NOW and share with your friends.

Thank you for standing for Internet freedom.

Sincerely,

Senator Mike Lee
Republican-Utah

ACTION ITEM #1

FCC CONTACTS and prepared text:

Tom Wheeler, Chairman
Federal Communications Commission
Tom.Wheeler@fcc.gov

Dear Chairman Wheeler,
Please stand against net neutrality, which is a right to free speech issue. Government will decide who is able to use the internet and what they are able to say. Anyone who disagrees will be targeted, as was the case with the IRS targeting certain groups of people to intimidate and stifle free speech.
Additionally,
• It will increase taxes on Internet connections, smartphones, and tablets.
• It will take away our freedoms on the internet as when government takes over private industry, it destroys what it claims to protect. (health insurance is a perfect example)
• It will decrease new business startups on the internet through increased government regulations and discourage private enterprise at a time when too many people are out of work.
Most importantly, Congress, as representatives of a free people should be the ones involved in pretecting our right to freedom of the internet. I will be calling my Senator and Congressmen to urge them to defund those agencies who wish to destroy freedom of speech which is a right guaranteed to all Americans in The Bill of Rights.

Dear Mignon Clyburn,
Federal Communications Commission
Mignon.Clyburn@fcc.gov

Please vote against Net Neutrality.
• It will increase taxes on Internet connections and smartphones and tablets
• It will take away our freedoms on the Internet as when government takes over private industry, it destroys it (health insurance is a perfect example)
• It will decrease new business start ups on the Internet with increased government regulations
I have decided that I will withdraw my support and my vote from any Senators or Representatives who vote for Net Neutrality. I will also support the opponents of those Senators or Representatives who vote for Net Neutrality.
I hope you will respect the views of your constituents and ensure that Net Neutrality does not pass.

 

Dear Jessica Rosenworcel,
Federal Communications Commission
Jessica.Rosenworcel@fcc.gov

Please vote against Net Neutrality.
• It will increase taxes on Internet connections and smartphones and tablets
• It will take away our freedoms on the Internet as when government takes over private industry, it destroys it (health insurance is a perfect example)
• It will decrease new business start ups on the Internet with increased government regulations
I have decided that I will withdraw my support and my vote from any Senators or Representatives who vote for Net Neutrality. I will also support the opponents of those Senators or Representatives who vote for Net Neutrality.
I hope you will respect the views of your constituents and ensure that Net Neutrality does not pass.

 

Dear  Ajit Pai,
Federal Communications Commission
Ajit.Pai@fcc.gov

 Please vote against Net Neutrality.

• It will increase taxes on Internet connections and smartphones and tablets
• It will take away our freedoms on the Internet as when government takes over private industry, it destroys it (health insurance is a perfect example)
• It will decrease new business start ups on the Internet with increased government regulations

I have decided that I will withdraw my support and my vote from any Senators or Representatives who vote for Net Neutrality.   I will also support the opponents of those Senators or Representatives who vote for Net Neutrality.

I hope you will respect the views of your constituents and ensure that Net Neutrality does not pass. 

 

Dear  Michael O’Rielly,
Federal Communications Commission
Mike.O'Rielly@fcc.gov

 Please vote against Net Neutrality.

• It will increase taxes on Internet connections and smartphones and tablets
• It will take away our freedoms on the Internet as when government takes over private industry, it destroys it (health insurance is a perfect example)
• It will decrease new business start ups on the Internet with increased government regulations

I have decided that I will withdraw my support and my vote from any Senators or Representatives who vote for Net Neutrality.   I will also support the opponents of those Senators or Representatives who vote for Net Neutrality.

I hope you will respect the views of your constituents and ensure that Net Neutrality does not pass. 

 

 

 

WHO IS THE FCC?

The FCC is directed by five commissioners appointed by the president of the United States and confirmed by the U.S. Senate for five-year terms, except when filling an unexpired term. The president designates one of the commissioners to serve as chairman. Only three commissioners may be members of the same political party, and none can have a financial interest in any commission-related business.

Tom Wheeler| Chairman
Tom Wheeler was sworn in as the 31st Chairman of the Federal Communications Commission on November 4, 2013. Chairman Wheeler was appointed by President Barack Obama and unanimously confirmed by the United States Senate.

Mignon Clyburn | Commissioner
Mignon Clyburn served as Acting Chairwoman of the Federal Communications Commission, following her appointment by President Barack Obama on May 20, 2013. She was nominated for her first term as Commissioner on June 25, 2009 and sworn-in on August 3, 2009. As Commissioner, she is serving a second term for which she was sworn in on February 19, 2013.
Bio | Staff | Speeches | Statements | Twitter | Email | Blog

Jessica Rosenworcel | Commissioner
Jessica Rosenworcel was nominated for a seat on the Federal Communications Commission by President Barack Obama and on May 7, 2012 was confirmed unanimously by the United States Senate. On May 11, 2012, she was sworn in.
Bio | Staff | Speeches | Statements | Editorials | Twitter | Instagram | Email

Ajit Pai | Commissioner
Ajit Pai was nominated to the Federal Communications Commission by President Barack Obama and on May 7, 2012 was confirmed unanimously by the United States Senate. On May 14, 2012, he was sworn in for a term that concludes on June 30, 2016.
Bio | Staff | Speeches | Statements | Editorials | Twitter | Email

Michael O’Rielly | Commissioner
Michael O’Rielly was nominated for a seat on the Federal Communications Commission by President Barack Obama on August 1, 2013 and was confirmed unanimously by the United States Senate on October 29, 2013. He was sworn into office on November 4, 2013.

ACTION ITEM #2

Please call/email/Fax our US Senators and Congressmen on this issue in addition to signing this petition. Many Congressmen are unaware that Obama is once again bypassing Congress on this free speech issue via regulatory agency to stifle dissent. If you value free speech with the internet, NOW is the TIME TO ACT!

If you live in another state outside Florida, please click here to obtain your state info.

http://www.congressmerge.com/onlinedb/index.htm

You will see a map of the U.S. Simply click your state to receive contact info for your Senators and Congressmen.

Florida in the 114th Congress
(1st Session)

http://www.congressmerge.com/onlinedb/cgi-bin/newseek.cgi?site=cong...

 

Residents of Florida are represented in Congress by 2 Senators and 27 Representatives.

Senator Bill Nelson (D- FL)

202-224-5274

202-228-2183 (FAX)

http://www.billnelson.senate.gov/contact-bill

Senator Marco Rubio (R- FL)

202-224-3041

202-228-0285 (FAX)

http://www.rubio.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/email-se …

Representative Jeff Miller (R - 01)

202-225-4136

202-225-3414 (FAX)

http://jeffmiller.house.gov/contact/

Representative Gwen Graham (D - 02)

202-225-5235

202-225-5615 (FAX)

https://graham.house.gov/contact/email

Representative Ted Yoho (R - 03)

202-225-5744

202-225-3973 (FAX)

https://yoho.house.gov/contact/email-me/email-me-zip- …

Representative Ander Crenshaw (R - 04)

202-225-2501

202-225-2504 (FAX)

http://crenshaw.house.gov/index.cfm/contact-form

Representative Corrine Brown (D - 05)

202-225-0123

202-225-2256 (FAX)

https://forms.house.gov/corrinebrown/webforms/contact …

Representative Ron DeSantis (R - 06)

202-225-2706

202-226-6299 (FAX)

https://desantis.house.gov/contact/email-me

Representative John L. Mica (R - 07)

202-225-4035

202-226-0821 (FAX)

https://mica.house.gov/contact-form

Representative Bill Posey (R - 08)

202-225-3671

202-225-3516 (FAX)

https://posey.house.gov/forms/writeyourrep/default.aspx

Representative Alan Grayson (D - 09)

202-225-9889

202-225-9742 (FAX)

https://forms.house.gov/grayson/webforms/email-me.shtml

Representative Daniel Webster (R - 10)

202-225-2176

202-225-0999 (FAX)

http://webster.house.gov/contact/

Representative Richard Nugent (R - 11)

202-225-1002

202-226-6559 (FAX)

https://nugent.house.gov/contact/email-me

Representative Gus M. Bilirakis (R - 12)

202-225-5755

202-225-4085 (FAX)

http://bilirakis.house.gov/email-congressman-bilirakis

Representative David Jolly (R - 13)

202-225-5961

202-225-9764 (FAX)

http://jolly.house.gov/contact/email-me

Representative Kathy Castor (D - 14)

202-225-3376

202-225-5652 (FAX)

https://castor.house.gov/contact/contactform.htm

Representative Dennis Ross (R - 15)

202-225-1252

202-226-0585 (FAX)

http://dennisross.house.gov/contact/

Representative Vern Buchanan (R - 16)

202-225-5015

202-226-0828 (FAX)

http://buchanan.house.gov/contact

Representative Thomas J. Rooney (R - 17)

202-225-5792

202-225-3132 (FAX)

https://rooney.house.gov/contact/email-me

Representative Patrick Murphy (D - 18)

202-225-3026

202-225-8398 (FAX)

http://patrickmurphy.house.gov/contact/email-me/

Representative Curt Clawson (R - 19)

202-225-2536

http://clawson.house.gov/contact/

Representative Alcee L. Hastings (D - 20)

202-225-1313

202-225-1171 (FAX)

http://alceehastings.house.gov/contact/

Representative Ted Deutch (D - 21)

202-225-3001

202-225-5974 (FAX)

https://teddeutch.house.gov/forms/writeyourrep/defaul …

Representative Lois Frankel (D - 22)

202-225-9890

202-225-1224 (FAX)

https://frankel.house.gov/contact/email-me

Representative Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D - 23)

202-225-7931

202-226-2052 (FAX)

https://wassermanschultz.house.gov/email-me

Representative Frederica Wilson (D - 24)

202-225-4506

202-226-0777 (FAX)

http://wilson.house.gov/contact

Representative Mario Diaz-Balart (R - 25)

202-225-4211

202-225-8576 (FAX)

https://writerep.house.gov/writerep/welcome.shtml

Representative Carlos Curbelo (R - 26)

202-225-2778

202-226-0346 (FAX)

https://curbelo.house.gov/contact/email

Representative Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R - 27)

202-225-3931

202-225-5620 (FAX)

https://ros-lehtinen.house.gov/contact-me/email-me

 

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

You can’t demonstrate the dangers of President Obama’s plan to regulate the internet and reclassify broadband as a Title II common carrier more clearly than this video, courtesy of Sen. Ted Cruz.

Cruz said on his website that the Obama administration is trying to impose 1934 rules on the Internet, which will stifle innovation. “The FCC’s net neutrality plan will drive up the cost of consumer Internet plans, impose billions of new taxes on the Internet, and allow a panel of five unelected bureaucrats to regulate and control every aspect of the Internet,” Cruz said.
FCC Commissioner Ajit Pai, one of two Republicans on the unelected board, held a press conference earlier this week to warn about the dangers of the 332-page plan that will not be released to the public until after the FCC’s vote on February 26“ The American people are being misled about President Obama’s plan to regulate the Internet,” Pai said. “Last week’s carefully managed rollout was designed to downplay the plans of a massive intrusion in the Internet economy.”

“I have now read the 332 page plan. It is worse than I had imagined,” said Pai.

He warned that reclassifying broadband would open the door to new internet taxes and intrusive regulations and would give the FCC “broad and unprecedented discretion to micro-manage the internet.”

THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENTION TO THESE TWO ACTION ITEMS.

GOD BLESS YOU AND MAY GOD BLESS OUR AMERICA

Note:  The majority of this information came via a communication from Senator Mike Lee.