Can the federal government make the internet good again?

Democrats and Republicans have very different visions for the future of the internet. Which will prevail?

Red and blue lines
(Image credit: tampatra/istock)

Once upon a time, the internet was pretty awesome. Now it is horrible. Can it be made good again? We're about to find out.

The New York Times and The Washington Post reported Monday that the federal government is going to investigate America's biggest tech firms for antitrust violations: The Justice Department will examine Apple and Google, while the Federal Trade Commission will scrutinize Facebook and Amazon. This is not just a Trump administration effort, though. Democrats in the House of Representatives are also planning an antitrust probe.

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Joel Mathis, The Week US

Joel Mathis is a freelance writer who has spent nine years as a syndicated columnist, co-writing the RedBlueAmerica column as the liberal half of a point-counterpoint duo. His work also regularly appears in National Geographic, The Kansas City Star and Heatmap News. His awards include best online commentary at the Online News Association and (twice) at the City and Regional Magazine Association.