Re:Ask HN: How can we stop the plan to end net neutrality?
by shmerl on Tuesday November 21, 2017 @10:38AM
(#15748571)
>philosophical belief that minimal regulation and free markets are better [1]. The Republican position on net neutrality is consistent with, and entirely predictable from, their positions on internet and telecommunications regulations going back long before Citizens United.
As you point out yourself, this doesn't make any sense if it achieves the opposite goal i.e. less market freedom because of monopolization. Let's assume they aren't that stupid as not to understand all that. Then corruption is the most likely reason for supporting monopolies. And I'm not sure if the other alternative (stupid politicians) is less damaging.
> Will there actually be a serious court case?
There will be. The case will argue that FCC ignored massive feedback about real issues. That's why it's important to actually submit public comments.
> In the case of repealing one of their prior rules, instead of making a rule, is there really a plausible litigable issue?
Yes, the issue would be that they repealed the rule that was solving real problems. I.e. that itself started causing same problems again.
As you point out yourself, this doesn't make any sense if it achieves the opposite goal i.e. less market freedom because of monopolization. Let's assume they aren't that stupid as not to understand all that. Then corruption is the most likely reason for supporting monopolies. And I'm not sure if the other alternative (stupid politicians) is less damaging.
> Will there actually be a serious court case?
There will be. The case will argue that FCC ignored massive feedback about real issues. That's why it's important to actually submit public comments.
> In the case of repealing one of their prior rules, instead of making a rule, is there really a plausible litigable issue?
Yes, the issue would be that they repealed the rule that was solving real problems. I.e. that itself started causing same problems again.