I’ve always believed you shouldn’t get involved in a fight you have no hope of winning. I find it unfortunate that I’m not heeding that advice with regard to net neutrality. Still, I can’t help but wonder why Texas Senator John Cornyn supports an organization using fake comments to support its decision to eliminate net neutrality.

This week I helped two people file complaints with the New York Attorney General in regard to counterfeit letters supporting the FCC’s plan to eliminate net neutrality. One was my Mother-in-law, the other was a friend whose mother was apparently writing from the grave. Given what I’ve already seen the FCC ignore, I can’t say I’m surprised they’re not cooperating in an investigation.

My Mother-in-law took her convictions one step farther. With the help of Etsy, she wrote Senator John Cornyn. Had he had not responded, I might have had a different topic this week. I’m copying the response verbatim because he enclosed some valuable links on how to make your feelings known. Well, I did remove her name. 

Dear …:

Thank you for contacting me regarding Internet regulation and commerce. I appreciate having the benefit of your comments on this matter.

Over the past two decades, Americans have increasingly relied on the Internet in their personal and professional lives, and new technologies play a central role in the Internet’s growing importance. Many of these technologies have been developed in Texas. As Texans and Americans, we all benefit from advancements that encourage economic growth and make day-to-day life easier.

We need policies to meet the evolving challenges of technological advancement. However, government regulations move slower than technology, and we must ensure the laws we pass do not stifle innovation. A top-down regulatory approach can unnecessarily constrain an industry’s ability to create and deliver new products and services to market. In the Senate, I have supported laws that facilitate innovation and opposed those which threaten it. For example, I supported the Leahy-Smith America Invents Act (P.L. 112-29), which modernized our outdated patent system by improving the application process and reducing litigation.

As you may know, on May 18, 2017, the FCC voted 2-1 to pass the “Restoring Internet Freedom” Notice of Proposed Rule Making (NPRM). The NPRM intends to replace the regulatory structure of the 2015 Open Internet Order, commonly referred to as Net Neutrality, with a light-touch regulatory framework that protects consumers, closes the digital divide and brings next-generation networks and services to all Americans.

I support the FCC’s transparent approach to reduce burdensome regulation and improve internet access and services. I am also proud to cosponsor the Restoring Internet Freedom Act (S. 993). This legislation would nullify the net neutrality rule, ensure Congress maintains its primary authority to reshape communications policy, and restore the competitive freedom that has characterized the Internet. S.993 has been referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Although I am not a member of this Committee, I will be sure to keep your views in mind should S. 993 be considered by the full Senate during the 115th Congress.

I appreciate the opportunity to represent Texas in the United States Senate. Thank you for taking the time to contact me.

Sincerely,

JOHN CORNYN

United States Senator

517 Hart Senate Office Building

Washington, DC 20510

Tel: (202) 224-2934

Fax: (202) 228-2856

http://www.cornyn.senate.gov

Please sign up for my monthly newsletter at http://www.cornyn.senate.gov/newsletter.

PLEASE NOTE:

Due to the nature of electronic communication, if you did not receive this e-mail directly from my office, I cannot guarantee that the text has not been altered. If you have questions about the validity of this message, or would like to respond to this message, please use the web form available at my website, http://www.cornyn.senate.gov/contact.

 I certainly feel like I’m being represented, not! I especially like the, “I support the FCC’s transparent approach to reduce burdensome regulation and improve internet access and services.” Maybe he’s referring to the new rule the FCC is proposing where the carriers no longer have to maintain their true rates and restrictions on their main website. Under the proposed rule they would only need to provide it on an accessible website. I guess it was too restrictive having to post it on their main website.

Do you really feel that cable television has improved with the lack of control the FCC is proposing for the Internet? I’m still paying over a hundred dollars a month to watch five channels. I don’t want the golf channel, the game show network, or the other 200 insipid channels that are bundled with my service. Don’t even get me started about the sports surcharge. Until they bring fencing to television, I’m being ripped off.

Is it any wonder that cord cutting is reaching epidemic rates? Oh, sorry, it was reaching epidemic rates. Without net neutrality, the cord cutters will be forced to rejoin the rest of us.

Back to John Cornyn though. It’s obvious he doesn’t represent rural Texas. I can’t even blame him for supporting big business over those of us that will suffer when net neutrality is eliminated. After all, I never contributed to his campaign. I’m sure he regards Hughes Net with its 10 gig a month datacap as perfectly viable for us rural folks. I’ll forgo any comments that he probably doesn’t even know what a gig is.

I certainly can’t contribute any less to his campaign. About the only thing I can do is let you know what his position is and suggest you find someone else to support. You know, someone who actually represents the people of Texas.

My wife has an unfortunate problem with a national club she belongs to. You see the leadership is tired of the members thinking they should have a say in how the club is being run. The leadership’s solution was to restrict any lines of communication between the members. By eliminating the common forum for the members, the leaders are free to convince individuals that nobody else is concerned.

Maybe that’s why John Cornyn doesn’t care he’s supporting an FCC that uses fake comments to support its position. This congress is more closely scrutinized than any others in history and there’s one common factor, an open Internet. While we still have that open Internet, lets use its power. You have Facebook, Twitter, and a few dozen avenues. For a little while longer you can make yourself heard. Let’s make sure John Cornyn hears you.

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