On net neutrality

I generally don't agree with Republicans much but this one they pretty much got right.  The FCC and the Democrats are trying to fix a problem that doesn't exist.

The so-called problem is as ubiquitous as the Internet has become, the fear is ISPs will have more power to control flow and information for its own purposes and not for the masses.  Given that most people do not understand basic economics, I suppose this fear is warranted but as usual, lacks any evidence to support such a position.

There are two pillars to the argument for net neutrality: 1. ISPs should not allow fast lanes and slow lanes and to charge extra for fast lanes, and 2. Every bit that is transferred is equal to any other bit transferred.  I will address them individually.

The allowance of fast lanes and slow lanes already exist with wireless carriers AND they do charge for it and no one is complaining.  There are already wireless data plans that offer unlimited data but they offer the first X number of GB at their fastest tier, currently 4G LTE, then dropping the service to 3G speeds.  If you want to stay in their tier 1 service, you have to pay more.  Additionally, there is tiered service virtually everywhere you go.  Clubs have VIP service and line-skipping for people on "the list."  Airlines have Coach and First Class service.  Costco and BJs offer their products and services, which are at significantly lower prices, to members only.

The concept that every piece of data transferred throughout the internet are all equal is the equivalent of wealth distribution in an economy.  Every byte transferred has a source and a destination.  Much like a person driving on a highway.  Everyone is trying to get to where they want to go.  If no one car is allowed priority then imagine what would happen to our EMS.  People who need help can't get it in time.  People who need to be rushed to the hospital wouldn't get there in time.  Think this is a bit of a stretch when it comes to the Internet?  Think again.  We have the technology to teleconference doctors from around the world.  What do you think would happen if your mother was in surgery and the only specialist competent enough was on vacation skiiing in the mountains?  Or the specialist is located half-a-world away?  Isn't the bandwidth and infrastructure to support that more important than someone trying to download two seasons of 'Game of Thrones'?  It is the same concept when government enforce price controls on something like medicine.  The price becomes artificially too low and prevents the people who need it to outbid those who don't.

So the net effect of net neutrality is those who need extra bandwidth can't get it and ISPs can't charge more to offer it.  Everyone who supports this thinks everyone will be getting a Ferrari on the information super-highway but in reality we'll all get Civics.