It's Time to Fire Tom Wheeler and Get an FCC Chairman that will Fight for Americans

[GoLeft TV]

From Ring of Fire:

Tom Wheeler was appointed to be the Chairman of the FCC in November of 2013. Before he took the position, Wheeler was a lobbyist for the telecommunications industry. Since taking up his seat, Wheeler has been proving that while you can take the dog out of the street, you can’t take the street out of the dog. It’s time to fire Tom Wheeler and get an FCC chairman that will stand up against the telecoms and fight for the best interests of the American people.

Wheeler has needed to take a strong position on the subject of Net Neutrality. Industry observers and commentators, even before he assumed the position, expressed concern that Wheeler would take a position toward Net Neutrality that would be hazardous to American free speech and equal opportunity on the internet. Wheeler’s background as a lobbyist was much the cause for this.

Once in the position though, Wheeler has had the opportunity to fight for the freedom of the web and he has failed to do so.

You can read the full article here at Ring of Fire.

[genwah]

1. I was just thinking Wheeler has to go. White House petition?

[Scuba]

2. Kick.

[Autumn]

3. I'm guessing he is doing just what he was appointed to do.

[antiquie]

4. I don't think he knows what "neutrality" means.

Dear Consumer,

Thank you very much for contacting us about the ongoing Open Internet proceeding. We're hoping to hear from as many people as possible about this critical issue, and so I'm very glad that we can include your thoughts and opinions.

I'm a strong supporter of the Open Internet, and I will fight to keep the internet open. Thanks again for sharing your views with me.

Tom Wheeler
Chairman
Federal Communications Commission

via email

[onenote]

5. The President can't fire Wheeler.

Last edited Tue May 6, 2014, 02:03 PM - Edit history (1)

You would think that the author of the article cited in the OP would have done some research. The president has extremely limited powers when it comes to dismissing a member of an independent agency. This is and has been the law of the land for nearly 80 years. See Humphrey's Executor v. United States, 295 U.S. 602 (1935). Some may remember how John McCain was mocked for suggesting in 2008 that if he was president he would fire the head of the SEC. Just as that claim reflected a lack of understanding of some basic history of presidential power, so too is the demand that the president fire Wheeler.

[xocet]

6. That is an interesting point. Thanks for the reference to the case. n/t

[totodeinhere]

8. But he can call for Wheeler's resignation. That's probably all it would take to get

rid of him. Of course I'm not naive enough to think that this will actually happen.

[Hippo_Tron]

11. How do you figure that it would get rid of him?

The only thing that can remove Wheeler is impeachment by the House of Representatives and conviction by the Senate. Do you really think the Republican-led House is going to impeach Wheeler because Obama calls for it?

[NYC Liberal]

12. Obama should offer a full-throated defense.

Then maybe Republicans will demand his removal.

[Hippo_Tron]

13. Yep, and Michelle Obama should start promoting junk food

Congress would pass a healthy eating initiative within the hour.

[totodeinhere]

14. Yes, Wheeler could hold out and refuse to resign but at least if he calls on Wheeler to resign it

would put the president on the right side of this issue. We need to president to lead on this important issue.

[Armstead]

15. Obama APPOINTED the f'ing guy

You're correct, it's not likely Obama can dump him. But he never should have appointed him in the first place.

That's the real problem.

[phleshdef]

7. Its time to stop writing OPs that begin with the words "Its time to..."

Really annoys the shit out of me...

[blkmusclmachine]

9. I don't think Obama will go for this idea. I think Obama agrees with Wheeler.

[sendero]

10. I'm absolutely.....

... certain that he does.