Ted Cruz Warns Of FCC, Obama Administration’s Net Neutrality Ulterior Motives

In no uncertain terms, the outspoken Senator Ted Cruz (R-Texas) had this to say about net neutrality: the FCC and Obama Administration proposal for a government takeover of the internet is harmful to consumers and businesses. Accordingly, Senator Cruz says, “Don’t mess with it,” citing news coverage via MRCTV.

Thursday, Cruz stirred up controversy after he addressed the #RebootCongress conference at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. At the gathering, organized by Lincoln Labs, the Tea Party Republican chided the FCC’s intent to regulate the internet. He compares the proposed initiatives to the president’s Affordable Care Act. Simply put, Cruz says the measure would become the “Obamacare for the internet.”

In his mockery of Obama, Ted Cruz explained to the group that a passage of the FCC’s net neutrality is structured around politics and rhetoric, while the truth is cloaked in a veil of secrecy. Here, Cruz said the true scope of the government’s proposed regulations is hidden in the 332 page document, which is not accessible by the public — not even lawmakers. Cruz says the truth is that there is a harsh tradeoff: the FCC’s takeover of the internet — under the guise of providing a more open and freer experience — really amounts to increases in taxation.

“In Texas, we’re fond of saying don’t mess with Texas. The principle I’m going to suggest to you is: don’t mess with the internet.

If the FCC turns the Internet into a regulated public utility, the innovation, the creativity that has characterized the Internet from its dawn, will inevitably be stifled. Now Title II by the way, gives all sorts of authority to regulate pricing and terms of service, and one of the implications if the Internet is regulated under Title II is 11 billion dollars a year in new taxes… Think about whether 11 billion dollars a year on the Internet is a good thing or a bad thing.”

Like other critics, Ted Cruz said Obama is asking Americans to “trust” him, that net neutrality under the control of the federal government, is a good thing — even if it amounts to oversight. To that, Senator Cruz had this to say.

“Do not accept the promise of Washington politicians who are telling all of us, ‘If you like your internet, you can keep your internet.'”

Check out the video above and share your thoughts below about Cruz’s comments on Obama, the FCC and net neutrality.

[Photo by Andrew Burton/Getty Images]