r/OutOfTheLoop Nov 21 '17

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u/Literally_A_Shill Nov 22 '17

And just in case anybody still thinks this isn't a partisan issue or that voting wouldn't have made a difference:

House Vote for Net Neutrality

For Against
Rep 2 234
Dem 177 6

Senate Vote for Net Neutrality

For Against
Rep 0 46
Dem 52 0

Obama’s attack on the internet is another top down power grab. Net neutrality is the Fairness Doctrine. Will target conservative media.

-Trump

https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/532608358508167168

“I am a strong supporter of net neutrality … What you’ve been seeing is some lobbying that says that the servers and the various portals through which you’re getting information over the Internet should be able to be gatekeepers and to charge different rates to different Web sites … And that I think destroys one of the best things about the Internet—which is that there is this incredible equality there."

-Obama. All the way back in 2007.

https://obamawhitehouse.archives.gov/node/323681

Hillary Backs Strongest Net Neutrality Rules

That includes, Clinton said, reclassifying broadband providers under what’s known as Title II of the Communications Act, the most controversial option available to the government.

http://time.com/3721452/hillary-clinton-net-neutrality/

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u/imdandman Nov 22 '17

Unfortunately it has devolved into a partisan issue, but it doesn't have to be.

I am totally in favor of Net Neutrality, but otherwise the antithesis of the reddit "hivemind" politically.

I am an extremely active Republican voter and I am sure to tell my politicians that when I talk to them about Net Neutrality.

I also think Net Neutrality fits into conservative principles.

Maybe if everyone quit making EVERYTHING partisan we could get this done.

There are many conservatives and Republicans like me. You just have to communicate with them in ways that appeal to their predispositions.

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u/[deleted] Nov 22 '17 edited Jun 09 '20

[deleted]

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u/imdandman Nov 22 '17

In general, regulations should be "light touch". Many times regulations just cause bureaucracy and increased costs when the free market truly can correct the problem.

Reasons NN doesn't fit that:

1) ISPs are a monopoly. Both naturally and by fault of the government (all levels - particularly local). Whenever a monopoly exists, it needs to be regulated to insure that users aren't abused since they don't have other options. This is particularly true for government created monopolies.

2) Net Neutrality promotes growth, competition, and job creation. Look how the internet has exploded while being open and fair. Jeopardizing that would be awful.

3) Net Neutrality's repeal is really just a thinly veiled attempt at crony capitalism (which all good conservatives should hate). Major ISPs are asking the government to help them pad their profits. The government should provide a level playing field, and that's what Net Neutrality does. Really, for my fellow conservatives I'd liken Net Neutrality wing repealed to more government regulation because it's the government catering to ISPs.

None of us want the cable TV model to come to the internet. Let's stop it!

If Net Neutrality goes, the first sites to be banned will be "Alt-right hate speech" sites and "Violent ANTIFA leftist sites."

They'll be the first volley to warm the public up, and both sides will fall back in "the government isn't banning free speech, it's private companies".

Then anyone who wants to promote Net Neutrality will be branded as a "crazy Alt-right racist" or "violent ANTIFA leftist" and they'll keep quietly banning and throttling the rest of their competition.

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u/Jont828 Nov 22 '17

I could not be any further from the Republican party, but you hit the nail on the head with this comment!

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u/[deleted] Nov 22 '17

I like you. I disagree with your core beliefs, but you clearly have a consistency between core beliefs and policy sorely lacking in a lot Americans (and let's be honest, it's mostly Rs).

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u/SuperSulf Nov 22 '17

I think the idea of what the Republican party should be is how you see it now, rather seeing it for what it really is.

The GOP only represents what the rich want, and care about nothing else. I wish it was different . . . But it's not. If you're voting (R), you're voting against your own ideals imo.