[10471] in Commercialization & Privatization of the Internet
Unsafe At Any Speed
daemon@ATHENA.MIT.EDU (aselene@aol.com)
Fri Feb 25 06:15:57 1994
From: aselene@aol.com
To: com-priv@psi.com
Date: Thu, 24 Feb 94 08:29:29 EST
Proliferating Potholes Plague the Information Highway
February 24, 2001
Washington DC. - The Equal Access Enforcement Agency (EAEA), moving to avert
the imminent collapse of the chronically overloaded non-commercial Internet,
today issued an executive order instituting immediate access rationing.
"This action is merely a temporary measure," stated Mitch Kapor, EAEA deputy
undersecretary designate of the incoming Gore administration. "Until the
situation is rectified, users will be required to log on to the Internet only
on odd or even numbered days depending on their information security number.
Temporary exemptions can be obtained by registered health care providers
during life threatening emergencies by submitting form HRC 2347 via regular
US mail."
The not-for-profit Internet, divested of all commercial services as a result
of the Communications Act of 1997, was established to guarantee all citizens
low cost, flat rate access to the information highway for the enhancement of
democratic discourse.
Enraged university professors staged a nationwide work rules slowdown by
reducing their modem speeds to 9600 baud.
"This is unconscionable," whined James Love, chief lobbyist for the Institute
for Information Entitlements. "I urge you to send Email to your congressmen
demanding immediate congressional hearings requiring hours of tedious
testimony by pompous self-appointed consumer advocates that have never held
an honest job."
The seeds of the current crisis were planted when language was inserted into
HR 3636 by the Taxpayers Asset Project (TAP) back in 1994 requiring all
telephone service providers to offer reasonably priced, flat rate tarrifed
access to the internet. Investment in the not-for-profit internet ceased four
years later when popular opinion, marshalled by a massive Email campaign,
forced the Commission to rescind its 3% rate increase.
Cato Institute economist Adam Selene, recalling the gas lines and cheese
caves of his youth, noted "If you set a minimum price on a commodity, you get
a surplus. If you set a maximum price, you get a shortage. You can't cheat
reality."
######
-----------------------------------------------------
>From: James Love <love@essential.org>
>Subject: bill to insure flat rate Internet email pricing (fwd)
>To: com-priv@psi.com
>Mime-Version: 1.0
>
>
>Distributed to TAP-INFO, a free Internet Distribution List
>(subscription requests to listserver@essential.org). This may be freely
>disseminated.
>
>TAXPAYER ASSETS PROJECT - INFORMATION POLICY NOTE
>
> PROPOSAL TO PRESERVE FLAT RATE PRICING FOR ELECTRONIC
> MAIL SENT TO AND FROM NON-COMMERCIAL INTERNET
> DISCUSSION GROUPS AND LISTS
>
> Feb. 23, 1994
>
>The following is proposed language which would require telephone
>companies to provide a tariffed Internet access service. An
>important feature of this is the requirement that the Internet
>service include a FLAT RATE service for electronic mail sent to
>and from non-commercial Internet discussion groups and lists. We
>have reason to believe that this or something similar may be
>offered as an amendment when the House Subcommittee on
>Telecommunications and Finance meets to mark-up HR 3636.
>
>The rationale for this proposal is to insure that the Internet
>will continue to provide opportunities for citizen to participate
>in democratic discourse on a wide range of topics (since flat rate email
>pricing is considered extremely important for Internet discussion
>groups).
>
>Please copy (cc:) comments to James Love of the Taxpayer Assets
>Project. v. 202/387-8030; f. 202/234-5176; internet:
>love@essential.org.
>
> jamie
>
> ---------------------
>
> INTERNET CONNECTIONS FOR THE ENHANCEMENT OF
> DEMOCRATIC DISCOURSE
> Proposed amendment to HR 3636.
>
>
>In a FINDINGS section, add
> The Congress finds that --
> (1) The growth of non-commercial electronic mail discussion
>groups through the use of the Internet has greatly expanded
>democratic discourse on a wide range of matters.
> (2) The expansion of the availability of electronic mail
>discussion groups promises to enhance the ability of citizens to
>debate and analyze matters of civic, cultural, education and
>scientific interest.
> (3) Access to non-commercial Internet electronic mail
>discussion groups will be enhanced by broader access to the
>Internet, and by flat rate pricing policies concerning electronic
>mail sent to and from non-commercial Internet discussion groups.
>
>In SEC. 101. POLICY; DEFINITIONS
>add a new subsection
> "(nn) `Non-commercial Internet Discussion Group' includes
>Internet discussion groups or lists which are not used for
>commercial purposes, and for which there is no charge to
>participate.
>
>On page 25, add a new section
>SEC. 106.INTERNET ACCESS AND FLAT RATE PRICING OF EMAIL SERVICES
> (a) APPLICATION -- All telephone service providers are
>required to offer a reasonably priced tariffed service which
>provides Internet access.
> (b) RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE COMMISSION -- The Commission
>shall determine a minimum level of service for Internet access.
>The minimum level shall include the ability to send and receive
>electronic mail to and from the Internet.
> (c) AVAILABILITY OF FLAT RATE EMAIL SERVICE -- The
>carrier shall offer a tariff for flat rate Internet email
>service, which must offer the ability to send and receive
>electronic mail to and from non-commercial Internet discussion
>groups and lists. Nothing in this section shall preclude a
>carrier from offering tariffs which are not based upon flat
>
>
