The life-changing vote that could destroy net neutrality, also known as the internet as we know it, is to occur on Dec. 14. Ajit Pai, Trump’s FCC chairman, was the backing force for this. In May, when this was first voted on, the FCC decided to move forward with his plan, however they were flooded with over 20 million comments urging them to save net neutrality, according to Save the Internet.

Net neutrality is the rules that prevent companies such as AT&T, Comcast, etc, from blocking domains they disagree with, slowing down internet speeds and forcing people to pay for certain packages. Removing net neutrality could destroy the open internet. People would be forced to pay for many websites. For example, Verizon could force its users to use Yahoo, banning them from using Google completely, or forcing them to pay extra for it.

Minorities and those living beneath the poverty line are the most at risk. Minorities rely on the open internet to rally and be able to be open. Many LGBTQ+ teens rely on internet resources to be able to feel accepted and safe when coming out to their “IRL” (in real life) families could be dangerous. Those beneath the poverty line could not afford everything they’d need to have access to, and in this day and age, the internet is indispensable for everyday life.

As well, removing net neutrality would severely damage small businesses. Businesses could no longer start up or be able to advertise. Net neutrality has been crucial in aiding these small companies by levelling the playing field between them and their rich large-company counterparts, allowing anyone to have access to them and purchase from them. Sites like Etsy would eventually become extinct or be extremely pricey to have access to because they could not pay necessary fees to let people have access to them.

Access to the free, open internet is beyond important for every person currently residing within the United States. Preserving net neutrality is extremely important for the sake of the people and the marketplace. It is an absolutely necessary thing to be able to continue calling the United States a land of freedom