Meet Edolphus Towns.  Mr Towns represents the 10th district, in New York State.  Congressman Towns has sold out his constituents, and the Internet.

Congressman towns voted against the Markey Amendment to the COPE Act, just like Congressman Green.  Just like Congressman Green, Towns was paid off by several telecommunications companies.  Let’s take a look at him, step by step, year by year, shall we?

2006:  In the 2006 election, Congressman Towns has received the following contributions, thus far (as of April 20th):

• Verizon Communications: $7,000
• AT&T INC: $5,000
• National Cable & Telecommunications Association: $5,000
• US Telecommunications Association: $4,000
• Time Warner (a major broadband provider): $3,000
• 2006 TOTAL: $24,000

$24,000 from telecommunications and cable providers, so far, this year…  Let’s continue with the 2004 election:

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I realize I’m taking a step back from the education issue, and many other important issues (like the immigrant walk-out, today). It’s for a good reason, though.

For starters, do you know how net neutrality will affect you? Let’s begin:

Google users—Another search engine could pay dominant Internet providers like AT&T to guarantee the competing search engine opens faster than Google on your computer.

Innovators with the “next big idea”—Startups and entrepreneurs will be muscled out of the marketplace by big corporations that pay Internet providers for dominant placing on the Web. The little guy will be left in the “slow lane” with inferior Internet service, unable to compete.

Ipod listeners—A company like Comcast could slow access to iTunes, steering you to a higher-priced music service that it owned.

But wait, there’s more…

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Sean-Paul, over at agonist,org, has a post up about Congressman Charlie Gonzales.  It appears that Congressman Gonzales - a democrat - has voted AGAINST the Markey Amendment because he is opposed to “regulating the Internet.”

Later that same afternoon, however, Congressman Gonzales offered up an amendment - sponsored by AT&T, no less - to regulate search engines.  Democrats were absolutely dumbfounded, as Gonzales had stated, earlier, publicly, that he was opposed to regulating the Internet.

Oh Charlie…  Have you no shame?

Gonzales represents the San Antonio, TX area - home of AT&T.

Technorati Tags: AT&T, Gonzales Amendment, Markey Amendment, Charlie Gonzales

Meet Congressman Gene Green.  Congressman Green is a Democrat representing the 29th district in Texas.  Congressman green has been representing Texas since 1993.  Congressman Green, as a Democrat, has sworn to uphold the democratic values, and is expected to vote as his liberal constituents expect.  Congressman Green, however, is a sell out.

On April 26th, 2006, the Markey Amendment to the COPE Act went for a vote before the House Energy & Commerce Committee, of which Congressman Green is a member.  The Markey Amendment - if passed - would ensure network neutrality across the Internet - in essence saving the Internet from (telecom/cable) big business.  Congressman Green - directly opposite of Democratic party lines, and values - voted against the Markey Amendment.

I have spent the past several hours attempting to determine why Congressman Green voted to support big business.  I believe I have come up with the answer.  Congressman Green has sold out to the big telecommunications and cable companies.  I do not make these comments lightly, and below I will provide the data, and links, to back it up.

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