The misinformation on this issue is really unprecedented. Net neutrality was a power grab over the internet industry by the Obama administration in the same way the CFPB was a power grab over the banking industry. For example:
1. Government proposes that banks need more regulation to "protect consumers"
2. Dodd-Frank is passed and Consumer Financial Protection Bureau is formed.
3. The hefty regulations and fines of these actions forced smaller banks to either go out of business or get swallowed up by larger banks who needed additional liquid capital to meet regulations.
4. The small number of banks who were able to meet the ridiculous rules and regulations imposed are permitted to continue operations. Where do the proceeds from these fines go? Right into the government's pocket.
5. Competition is eliminated and controlled by the government under the guise of consumer protection.
6. Banking starts on the path to monopolization.
Hence, Trump's efforts to split regulations into two sections -- larger banks and smaller banks.
Let's examine the same principle with the internet and net neutrality.
1. Government proposes that net neutrality is needed to prevent "evil internet companies" from restricting access to data based on who you are or what you're accessing.
2. Net neutrality is passed under the guise of the "right to privacy and non-discriminatory data usage".
3. In doing so, net neutrality becomes a utility, much like water and electricity, that can be regulated by the government.
4. Internet companies are far more reluctant to invest in any new networking infrastructure due to uncertain financial implications of net neutrality (which were left open-ended by the Obama admin). This has the biggest impact on rural and less-populated areas.
5. These regulations on internet companies, and the fines introduced alongside them, have the same effect as they did in banking. Smaller broadband companies cannot afford to exist. The larger companies either gobble them up or they go out of business. You eliminate competition by positioning the largest companies as the only ones who can afford to keep up with government regulation.
6. Internet companies have NO incentive to invest in furthering infrastructure, and the government benefits handsomely with more fines and fees.... again, right into their back pocket.
The internet never had any issues with data access restrictions and doesn't need the government regulating a free market. The reason we don't internet packages with access to select websites for 5 or 10 bucks a month is because nobody is willing to pay for them. Hence, the market decides what floats and what sinks, as it should be in this country.
