Dave Loebsack

The free and open internet is back!  Republicans are having a cow about it. They are breaking out their best catchy phrase,  “government takeover” for the occasion. Not a party inclined to follow rules, any rule or regulation that levels the playing field for everyone is characterized by Republicans as a “government takeover.”  Do they think voters can’t remember when the internet was free and open before the corrupt ex-president’s FCC got rid of it? Rs would like you to think this is a new terrible thing.

Miller-Meeks wore this “6” mask on the floor of congress

Just for the record, Blog for Iowa posted upwards of 70 posts during the net neutrality fight since around 2006. If Republicans think bashing net neutrality is a political winner in Iowa, they apparently don’t remember when Trump’s FCC readied to kill net neutrality there were protests around the state.

Back when we still had Democratic representation in congress,  our  Democratic congressman Dave Loebsack (now retired and replaced by MAGA-R Mariannette Miller-Meeks who tragically slipped past Democrat Rita Hart by six questionable votes) was a strong advocate for net neutrality and called for reclassification to ensure a free and open internet. Blog for Iowa posted in 2014:

“Congressman Loebsack sent a letter to FCC Chairman Tom Wheeler and FCC commissioners calling on the commission to maintain a strong net neutrality policy,  to consider banning paid prioritization, and urging reclassification of ISPs as common carriers to ensure that there can be oversight for strong net neutrality rules.”

You can link to the post  here.  I also posted the congressman’s letter below.  Just know that Dave Loebsack’s MAGA Republican successor, Mariannette Miller-Meeks sent this tweet out Wednesday when the FCC announcement came down that net neutrality is being reinstated.

If you would like to return to Democratic representation and you live in District 1 (formerly District 2), you can achieve that by supporting and voting for the Democratic candidate Christina Bohannan and send the Trump supporting accidental congresswoman Miller-Meeks packing.

Here is a sample of the real representation we can have when we elect Democrats.

May 21, 2014

Chairman Wheeler and Commissioners
Federal Communications Commission
445 Twelfth Street, SW, Room 8-C453
Washington, DC 20554

Dear Chairman Wheeler and Commissioners,

Last week, your Commission advanced a proposal regarding rules governing the open internet. I am deeply concerned about the potential of this proposal to run afoul of a strong net neutrality policy that treats some online content differently by Internet Service Providers (ISPs).

I strongly believe that the internet is a space and a tool that must remain equal to all users. The internet has become more than just a research tool and gathering place, it has become a necessary tool for individuals and businesses to function in our modern society and economy. In many aspects of life, we now have a system that revolves tightly around access to the internet and its ability to perform – for things like education, commerce, medicine and health care, as well as completing government requirements that are increasingly moving online. For each person or business, each use of the internet takes on a different priority and it is critical to provide an equal playing field for all uses.

As this proposal now moves forward and into the public comment phase, it is imperative that you take all options for maintaining a strong net neutrality policy into consideration. I appreciate you soliciting comments specifically on whether paid prioritization should be banned, and I urge you to give serious consideration to reclassifying ISPs as common carriers in order to ensure strong open internet rules.

Thank you for your time and consideration.

Sincerely,
Dave Loebsack
Iowa’s Second District