We Need a Comprehensive Policy for a National Treasure

   Whether we are talking about energy or telecommunications, so many commodities we use today scream out for a comprehensive policy that encourages growth and innovation.   With the growing importance the role of the internet plays in each of our lives, it is long since time for us to protect what is truly a national treasure. Whether in education, business, research, or in our personal lives - we depend upon it.   Innovation, competition and economic growth require it.  

   Just as so many Americans depend upon the transportation infrastructure, its reliability, frequency and speed - we too depend upon the internet.   With the rising costs of energy, more and more citizens will depend on public transportation to get to and from work, and with increasing need and speed.    With the increased global dependency on the internet for our business and personal lives, more and more citizens will depend on the speed and reliability of the internet.  And just as transportation must continually innovate and grow, so must the internet.

    So who should pay for it?  We all agree on its growing importance to this global economy.    So why should someone who only uses the internet occasionally for pleasure, pay the same rates as a business whose heavy and frequent use puts stresses and demands on the infrastrucure?   Why should heavy video streaming block cutting edge medical research?   The carriers continue to make heavy investments in the growth and reliability  and to manage the traffic flow, but we too must pay our fair share.   Why aren't there variable pricing levels for bandwidth use?   With the rapid expansion of internet traffic, now is the time to have a comprehensive policy that spurs growth.