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Liberal Policy Group Admits: "Net Neutrality" Will Destroy Jobs

Politico's Morning Tech highlighted a new report by the liberal Progressive Policy Institute that argues the FCC should hold off on so-called "net neutrality" – at least for now – because a government takeover of the Internet would destroy jobs. From Politico:

"HOLD OFF ON NET NEUTRALITY (FOR NOW) - Where will new jobs be created as we emerge from the economic recession? The communications industry will lead the way, according to a study to be released today by the Progressive Policy Institute at an event on Capitol Hill. Internet companies, wireless telecom carriers and computer systems design hold promise for job creation - employment at internet firms is up 13 percent since the recession started December 2007.

"IN THE REPORT, author Michael Mandel proposes 'that the FCC take a pause in putting in tighter regulations on broadband, perhaps for two years. That would allow the incipient communications boom to get started. After that period, the agency should systematically and proactively track down areas of excess and exploitive behavior, and target them for selective intense regulation.'"

This follows another nonpartisan report highlighted by Ars Technica that says a government takeover of the Internet will destroy jobs and "place the nation's economy at even greater risk." BigGovernment.com says the report shows "net neutrality"-like rules would "upend the nation's economy, killing upwards of 600,000 jobs and shrinking the nation's aggregate economic output by $80 billion."

A collection of minority groups also oppose the FCC's plan to impose a government takeover without any action by Congress because, they wrote, the "proposed regulations could have detrimental effects on investment, innovation and job creation."

Of course, none of this stopped PPI from suggesting that an Internet takeover should happen eventually – but it's nice to see liberals at least admit that their big government policies are no good for the economy.

To help our fight against the Democrats' government takeover of the Internet, sign our petition or join us on Facebook, and tell Washington: "hands off the web!"

READ MORE:
New Study Shows "Net Neutrality" is a Jobs-Killer As FCC Votes to Begin Internet Takeover (6/18/10)
Pelosi Says Jobs-Killing Internet Takeover is a Priority for Democrats (6/2/10)
Even Some Democrats Oppose the Administration's Internet Takeover (5/25/10)
ATR Says "Net Neutrality is a Government Takeover" of the Web (5/19/10)
Boehner, GOP Sends a Message to the President: Hands Off the Web (5/13/10)