Here's the conservative case against net neutrality

Here's the conservative case against net neutrality
(Image credit: FreedomWorks/YouTube)

On Monday, President Obama urged the Federal Communications Commission to reclassify the internet as a public utility, finally allowing the FCC to enforce principles of net neutrality — the idea that all traffic on the internet must be given equal treatment.

Republicans aren't happy with the plan to treat internet service providers (ISPs) as regulated telecoms — House Speaker John Boehner (R-Ohio) said it would "destroy innovation and entrepreneurship," and Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) called net neutrality "ObamaCare for the internet," because it "puts the government in charge of determining internet pricing, terms of service, and what types of products and services can be delivered, leading to fewer choices, fewer opportunities, and higher prices for consumers." Cruz got flak and unsolicited fact-checking from across the political spectrum.

Subscribe to The Week

Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

SUBSCRIBE & SAVE
https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/flexiimages/jacafc5zvs1692883516.jpg

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters

From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.

From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.

Sign up
Explore More
Peter Weber, The Week US

Peter has worked as a news and culture writer and editor at The Week since the site's launch in 2008. He covers politics, world affairs, religion and cultural currents. His journalism career began as a copy editor at a financial newswire and has included editorial positions at The New York Times Magazine, Facts on File, and Oregon State University.