A political temper tantrum at the FCC

[Commentary] Two days after the election, Federal Communications Commission Chairman Tom Wheeler announced an aggressive agenda for the FCC's Nov 17 open meeting to push through some of his remaining high-priority items, including, among other things, mandating a massive rate reduction for Business Data Services without any economic justification for the naked benefit of select constituencies. As to be expected after a major election where the other party takes control, Senate Commerce Committee Chairman John Thune (R-SD), shortly thereafter wrote a letter to the FCC behooving Chairman Wheeler to refrain from acting on "complex, partisan, or otherwise controversial items" during the Presidential transition.

Telecom policy is a serious business and — as Chairman Wheeler's tenure as chairman amply demonstrates — the public interest is ill-suited by partisan leadership. Instead, President-elect Donald Trump should appoint somebody to lead the FCC who truly understands the economics of the business, respects the law and, most importantly, is committed to uphold every American's basic right to due process. If not, then just when you think the next chairman can't be any worse than the last — they will be.

[Lawrence J. Spiwak is the president of the Phoenix Center for Advanced Legal & Economic Public Policy Studies]