Why the Right Is Wrong About Net Neutrality

[Commentary] Maybe you've heard that Network Neutrality is "Internet socialism," "the Fairness Doctrine for the Internet," or simply the cornerstone of the Obama administration's frightening "vision of government ownership and control" over all communications and aspects of our lives.

Or so you might think if you've caught any of the right-wing's sudden interest in telecommunications policy. The uptick in attention from the tea partiers and the talk radio echo chamber -- which first popped up last fall when the FCC took up the issue, and is peaking again around this week's deadline for public comment on new rules -- is a little suspicious. Some of the newfound opponents are reflexively opposed to anything supported by President Obama -- who has pledged "to take a backseat to no one" on the issue. Others have knee-jerk response to any talk about "government regulation."

But the timing of the attacks on the FCC and the similarity of the talking points suggest more sophisticated coordination with Net Neutrality's corporate opponents.