Black Ink
06-15-2006, 08:46 PM
Concerning Net Neutrality, I sent an e-mail to my Senator through his website, and I actually got a response from him/a machine representing him.
Dear Mr. Gajda:
Thank you for contacting me regarding internet network
"neutrality." I appreciate the benefit of your views on this
important issue.
I understand your concerns. There is no denying that the
internet has revolutionized the way that Americans work,
communicate, and access information. With more Americans
accessing broadband and other high speed technology, the internet
will certainly continue to serve as an important tool for
technological innovation. For example, some have suggested that
high-speed networks will soon allow Americans to access
interactive applications such as online classrooms or health
clinics. It is important that Congress take the appropriate
steps to encourage the development of this new technology and
that all Americans have free and open access to take advantage of
it.
While these online video applications have the potential to
further revolutionize our daily lives, some have suggested that
the broadband networks currently in operation may soon become
overloaded. The result would be congested networks that subject
American internet uses to unreliable connections. To confront
this situation, many experts argue that we need a new system of "cyber
highways" with the capacity to transfer large amounts of
information at even higher speeds. I agree that this should be
an important priority.
Unfortunately, in 2005, the Federal Communications
Commission (FCC) eliminated regulations that preserve openness on
the Internet. Some telecommunications companies have taken the
need for greater capacity and reduced regulations to levy a new
tax on internet users by charging individual websites, and
ultimately consumers, an "access fee" for permission to use these
newer and higher speed networks. I oppose this "access-tiering"
system and support the principle of "net neutrality." Since its
inception, the internet has been an open system and this openness
has proved to be an effective facilitator of market innovations
and economic growth. I fear that limiting or restricting access
may sacrifice future opportunities for further innovation.
As you may know, on February 7, 2006, the Senate Committee
on Commerce, Science and Transportation held a hearing on "net
neutrality" which allowed both advocates and opponents to voice
their opinions about net neutrality. Additionally, Senators
Byron Dorgan (D-ND) and Olympia Snowe (R-ME) have introduced S.
2917, the Internet Freedom Preservation Act, a bill that
preserves network neutrality. I am pleased to be a cosponsor of this
bipartisan legislation. On June 6, 2006, a similar measure
was offered by Congressman Edward Markey (D-MA) as an amendment
to a larger telecommunications bill in the House of
Representatives. It failed by a vote of 269-152.
Thank you again for contacting me. If you would like to
stay in touch with me on this and other issues of importance,
please visit my website at http://dodd.senate.gov and subscribe
to receive my regular e-mail issue alerts. Please do not
hesitate to contact me again if I may be of additional
assistance.
Sincerely,
CHRISTOPHER J. DODD
United States Senator
It took a few months, but it's still pretty cool that I got a response and that my Senator isn't a complete tool.
Dear Mr. Gajda:
Thank you for contacting me regarding internet network
"neutrality." I appreciate the benefit of your views on this
important issue.
I understand your concerns. There is no denying that the
internet has revolutionized the way that Americans work,
communicate, and access information. With more Americans
accessing broadband and other high speed technology, the internet
will certainly continue to serve as an important tool for
technological innovation. For example, some have suggested that
high-speed networks will soon allow Americans to access
interactive applications such as online classrooms or health
clinics. It is important that Congress take the appropriate
steps to encourage the development of this new technology and
that all Americans have free and open access to take advantage of
it.
While these online video applications have the potential to
further revolutionize our daily lives, some have suggested that
the broadband networks currently in operation may soon become
overloaded. The result would be congested networks that subject
American internet uses to unreliable connections. To confront
this situation, many experts argue that we need a new system of "cyber
highways" with the capacity to transfer large amounts of
information at even higher speeds. I agree that this should be
an important priority.
Unfortunately, in 2005, the Federal Communications
Commission (FCC) eliminated regulations that preserve openness on
the Internet. Some telecommunications companies have taken the
need for greater capacity and reduced regulations to levy a new
tax on internet users by charging individual websites, and
ultimately consumers, an "access fee" for permission to use these
newer and higher speed networks. I oppose this "access-tiering"
system and support the principle of "net neutrality." Since its
inception, the internet has been an open system and this openness
has proved to be an effective facilitator of market innovations
and economic growth. I fear that limiting or restricting access
may sacrifice future opportunities for further innovation.
As you may know, on February 7, 2006, the Senate Committee
on Commerce, Science and Transportation held a hearing on "net
neutrality" which allowed both advocates and opponents to voice
their opinions about net neutrality. Additionally, Senators
Byron Dorgan (D-ND) and Olympia Snowe (R-ME) have introduced S.
2917, the Internet Freedom Preservation Act, a bill that
preserves network neutrality. I am pleased to be a cosponsor of this
bipartisan legislation. On June 6, 2006, a similar measure
was offered by Congressman Edward Markey (D-MA) as an amendment
to a larger telecommunications bill in the House of
Representatives. It failed by a vote of 269-152.
Thank you again for contacting me. If you would like to
stay in touch with me on this and other issues of importance,
please visit my website at http://dodd.senate.gov and subscribe
to receive my regular e-mail issue alerts. Please do not
hesitate to contact me again if I may be of additional
assistance.
Sincerely,
CHRISTOPHER J. DODD
United States Senator
It took a few months, but it's still pretty cool that I got a response and that my Senator isn't a complete tool.