Here we go again. After a long delay and much hemming and hawing, it was beginning to look like FCC Chair Tom Wheeler was about to the right thing and propose new FCC rules for internet neutrality. One of the key provisions is expected to be redefining the internet as a common carrier.

With all the delay, Republicans were able to take control of both houses of Congress. As usual Republicans dance to the tune played by their wealthy owners. Major players among those owners include the Telecommunications industry and individual companies such as Verizon or AT&T.

So with the threatened change in FCC rules – Wheeler was to make his proposals Feb. 5th with a vote coming by the commission on Feb. 26th. The last thing the industry wants is to be classified as a common carrier.

Well, what good is it to buy politicians and buy control of the Congress if you can’t use it? So the call goes out and Republicans respond. Buried in some innocuous looking proposed provisions are a couple of provisions that essentially remove the internet from any FCC influence.

Sen. John Thune (R-SD), chairman of the Senate Committee on Commerce, said that his legislation will enforce these 11 “bipartisan rules in the Internet Age”:

* Prohibit blocking
* Prohibit throttling
* Prohibit paid prioritization
* Require transparency
* Apply rules to both wireline and wireless
* Allow for reasonable network management
* Allow for specialized services
* Protect consumer choice
* Classify broadband Internet access as an information service under the Communications Act
* Clarify that Section 706 of the Telecommunications Act may not be used as a grant of regulatory authority
* Direct the FCC to enforce and abide by these principles

Defining broadband as an “information service” would prevent the FCC from reclassifying Internet access. Restricting the FCC’s Section 706 powers could also interfere with the commission’s plans for preempting state laws that prevent cities and towns from building broadband networks.

In order to beat the time frame announced by Chair Wheeler, committee hearings in both the House and the Senate are suddenly announced for next Wednesday. You can feel pretty well assured that that these committees will propose legislation that will rushed through the House and the Senate.

Once more I ask, what good is it to buy control of Congress if you can’t use it when you need it?

All those letters you sent and calls you made may well have been wasted. A few well placed dollars are decidedly much more effective. Thank you, Roberts’ Court. Thank you Citizens United. And a special thanks to those who either voted for these crooks or failed to vote, thus allowing them to take power. Yes, elections do have consequences.

One of the consequences is paying by far the highest dollar for the worst internet service in the world. But it can get worse.