Net Neutrality Vote Will Determine Whether Americans Are Citizens First or Consumers First

[Triana]

The debate on the upcoming net neutrality vote should first address the overarching issue it creates: are we, as Americans, consumers first or citizens first? What are our true values and priorities?

The Federal Communications Commission is set to vote on rules to regulate internet traffic in February. At stake is whether the internet (or, as George W Bush called it, "the internets&quot should become a multi-tiered system in which the highest payers get preferential treatment, or whether all users should be treated equally.

Preferential treatment for the highest bidders would mean priority lanes for faster transmissions and slower lanes for others.

Yes, we can argue about whether equal access will spur more innovation or whether preferential access for the highest bidders will deliver more and better content, and thus spark innovations of its own.

But, more fundamental is whether we consider ourselves citizens first, or are we primarily beneficiaries of one version or another of a market economy?

THE REST:

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/paul-abrams/more-than-the-internet-ne_b_6415448.html

[hobbit709]

1. the corporations are citizens, we are just consumers in their eyes.