The Internet is a Democracy, NOT an oligarchy

A democratic government is defined my Wikipedia as a form government in which state-power is held by the majority of citizens within a country or a state. As an American, we are supposedly living in a democratic structure of government, and the internet being a facet of our society, should theoretically be democratic as well. As is stands now, the internet isn't really comparable to any form of government, except for maybe anarchy. Users are allowed to access anything, change and personalize websites, connect to one another, etc.; the internet is pretty much free game. But situations which have risen recently could be the demise of free-range internet.

Internet Service Providers such as AT&T, Comcast, etc, are threatening to charge users tiered serves packages where certain users would have to pay more in order to get full access, and users who would choose not to pay the added fees would either get limited or no access. This could ultimately cause discriminatory practices, possibly a decline of speech and expression on the web, and would put the power in the hands of the conglomerates who would be cashing in. A filtered internet is like stifling a child's creativity. It has already been one of the most useful and innovative tools in the past 15 years. If public access were to be diminished by the ISP's, the internet as we know it today would take a turn for the worse.

FCC Chairman Julius Genachowski recently made the announcement that he will do whatever it takes to preserve free and open internet. He states:

"The rise of serious challenges to the traditional operation of the Internet puts us at a crossroads. We could see technology used to shut doors to entrepreneurs instead of opening them. The spirit of innovation stifled. A full and free flow of information compromised.

Or we could take steps to preserve a free and open Internet, helping to ensure a future of opportunity, prosperity, and the vibrant flow of information and ideas.

I believe we must choose to safeguard the openness that has made the Internet a stunning success. That is why today, I delivered a speech announcing that the FCC will be the smart cop on the beat when it comes to preserving a free and open Internet.

In particular, I proposed that the FCC adopt two new rules to help achieve this."

With these rules, Genachowski hopes to not allow broadband providers to discriminate against any content on the internet and encourage broadband providers to be transparent about their practices. On the FCC's website about a free and open internet, Genachowski states that although this goal seems easy, the steps taken to reach the goal are not so clear.

I completely side with Genachowski and the FCC. Internet Service Providers should have no say in who gets to view which website. If I had a choice, I believe the internet should stay a free anarchy, or maybe somewhere closer to democracy (with an unbiased body governing). It should by no means be controlled by the very people that are profiting. This is where corruption comes into play. The internet is by the people for the people, not an oligarchy to be controlled by a few ISP's.