Regulatory Czar may target internet for "fairness"

 What Orwellian world have we fallen into, where appointed Czars demand compliance with arbitrary regulations; and control seems to be the main objective of governmental policy? Barack Obama’s regulatory Czar, Cass Sunstein, is in support of a form of internet fairness doctrine. –Read: Censorship. This administration seems to be compulsively seeking more and more control of the private sector in venues ranging from financial industries, to information. Proposed as emergency initiatives, consider for a moment what level of control the current administration has over the American public: GM, financial sectors, executive pay, soon the energy industry, and soon even your healthcare. When examining and investigating the expanding nature of government in the last several years, it no longer seems implausible for the government to take control of your first amendment rights.

According to Sunstein, he believes “a system of limitless individual choices, with respect to communications, is not necessarily in the interest of citizenship and self government.” Why not? Is it because he doesn’t trust people to reach the same world views? Limitless choices are essential to freedom. By the consideration of censorship Sunstein demonstrates his desire to diminish, if not eliminate, self governance. If the government restricts choices, it can hardly be called a government of ‘we the people.’

Sunstein has illustrated a number of ways in which he would like to alter the way the World Wide Web is viewed in America. He has proposed, among other things, a “notice and take down” law. -Essentially a provision that would require websites to take down “falsehoods” upon notice from the federal government. And what is considered a “falsehood,” and who determines what falls into this category? Of course that task would be charged to the Federal Government. But one wonders what exactly would constitute a “falsehood.” Would information representing a Public official (Say, maybe a Czar) in bad lighting be considered a “falsehood?” Sunstein has claimed the notion that Barack Obama ‘paled around with terrorists’ is a lie, despite the documented connection between Bill Ayers and the President. The term “falsehood” could easily be used as a tool to silence politically inconvenient reports.

So, would his evaluation of what determines a “falsehood” be directed at limiting the choices or opinions on the internet? Most assuredly. It does not take a conspiratorial mind to think the man appointed with creating regulations and implementing new regulations would be a supporter of more regulations. The Czars so far appointed, seem aimed at limiting the freedom of many individuals for the common “good.” Executive pay czars, a Czar for science, a regulation Czar, and auto Industry Czar, etc. And what actual authority do these Czars have over your life? Legally, none. They are an intimidation tactic (as they always have been) used to manipulate the public into compliance with the world view of the President's administration. It is within the legal power of a private citizen or private business to dismiss any order given to them by a Presidential aid or Czar; but they will face the full fury and wrath of one of the most powerful offices in the free world.

So where do we stand today? We stand on the sidelines watching government dismantle capitalism, freedom, and individual prosperity. Watch closely, and be prepared to stand up for your rights. Men like Sunstein despise the “limitless choices” one faces on the internet because it places within the citizenry the need for independent evaluation. With Limitless choice, it is quite possible people will find an oppositional point of view. With all freedom comes the responsibility to preserve it with diligence and knowledge. The internet is no different. Falsehoods, lies and misrepresentations exist all over the web, but the responsibility to evaluate the information obtained on the internet rests in the people. Placing confidence in the government to adequately, or without bias, ensure the accuracy of the internet is dangerous and in contradiction to our freedom as Americans.

To find out more about this story, and the intentions of Cass Sustein, I encourage you to visit Townhall.com

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