so that's good? or bad?

For those saying they need mor info on net neutrality: Later this morning, the Federal Communications Commission will take a vote on adopting new rules that would keep the Internet neutral. Here's a guide to what all of this means. -- What does net neutrality mean? Here's the Cliffs Notes version from NPR's Elise Hu: "Net neutrality is the concept that your Internet provider should be a neutral gateway to everything on the Internet, not a gatekeeper deciding to load some sites slower than others or impose fees for faster service." In other words, it's a concept in which Internet service providers (ISPs) don't discriminate when it comes to Internet traffic. Without net neutrality rules, ISPs could theoretically take money from companies like Netflix or Amazon to speed up traffic to their sites. NPR's Laura Sydell explained one hypothetical like this: "More than 30 percent of Internet traffic at peak times comes from Netflix, according to studies. So Verizon might say, 'Netflix, you need to pay us more.' Or maybe Verizon strikes a deal with Amazon and says your prime video service can get speedier delivery to the home and we're going to slow down Netflix." -- What is the FCC voting on? The Federal Communications Commission is voting on whether to reclassify broadband access as a "telecommunications service under Title II." In layman's terms, the FCC is looking to reclassify broadband as a utility, which would give the commission more regulatory power over Internet providers. -- What prompted this FCC vote? Back in 2010, the FCC actually passed rules to keep the Internet neutral. But those rules were challenged by Verizon and in January of 2014, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit ruled that the FCC did not have the regulatory power over broadband to issue those rules. The court, however, said that the FCC could reclassify broadband and that would give it broad regulatory powers. FCC Chairman Tom Wheeler decided to go that direction in February. Earlier this week, Republicans in Congress dropped opposition to the proposed rules, saying they were not going to pass a bill without any Democratic support. -- What would the proposed rules do? The proposed rules are pretty lengthy, but from an FCC fact sheet, here are the three things that the rules would ban that matter most to consumers: "No Blocking: broadband providers may not block access to legal content, applications, services, or non-harmful devices. "No Throttling: broadband providers may not impair or degrade lawful Internet traffic on the basis of content, applications, services, or non-harmful devices. "No Paid Prioritization: broadband providers may not favor some lawful Internet traffic over other lawful traffic in exchange for consideration — in other words, no 'fast lanes.' This rule also bans ISPs from prioritizing content and services of their affiliates." -- What does John Oliver have to do with all this? The comedian John Oliver brought this issue to the forefront when he dedicated 14 minutes on his program to explain why net neutrality is so important. He called on his viewers to write to the FCC to encourage them to adopt new rules. His call — and the enormous response — broke the commission's website. A bunch of big Internet sites — Netflix, Etsy and Foursquare among them — joined the chorus in September when they took part in "Internet Slowdown Day," presenting their users with symbolic loading icons "to remind everyone what an Internet without net neutrality would look like."

To the idiots who think this is a good idea: With Net Neutrality, everyone's Internet is equal. Equally slow and shitty. With ISPs you actually have a choice, which is why capitalism is so great. All this is is a step toward totalitarian government control. It may not happen overnight, but I guarantee you the Internet 5 years from now will be much worse than it is now.

Best explanation of the issue, it actually had some impact too. It explains it well and is very funny

I just love how half the people on here don't know what net neutality is. Most think it means the government will have complete control over the internet.

This is good but its just a minor win in a battle, the war is not over. The cable companies killed net neutrality once in the courts and will try again. The supreme court will have the final say on this version of net neutrality.

[b][u]NOOOOOOOOOOOOOO[/u][/b]

Wait... Does this mean that the Internet stays the same? Or that the dumbass liberals think obamas blatant communist moves are a step in the right direction and the government now controls us like puppets on the Internet?

Government broke the First and Fifth Amendment.

Anyone who supports this, probably has no idea what it even is. Just because it has an appealing name, doesn't mean shit. It's like the "patriot act", it's tyranny veiled behind rhetoric. "The urge to save humanity, is almost always a false-front for the urge to rule"

Well this stinks

Now the government controls the Internet No more leaks now *sigh*

A couple things that aren't bring talked out: • The 300 page bill hasn't been released to the public yet • There doesn't seem to be any implication of an added tax • This only seems to affect the ISPs, not us consumers. However, keep in mind that this is a 300 page document... It seems like a good thing, but I would still be skeptical

Good!