Democracy Wire

Everyone's talking about net neutrality this week, so we thought we'd take a look back to the hilarious send-up John Oliver did of the issue last summer. He explains what's going on, tells us what's at stake, and urges hordes of internet commenters to direct their outrage towards the FCC's public comment process.

By now you have probably heard of “net neutrality.” Net neutrality, which would guarantee everyone equal access to the open internet, is a policy the Federal Communications Commission is currently considering and is supported by 81% of Americans, including a majority of Republicans.

The U.S. Supreme Court heard oral arguments today in a combined case challenging Alabama’s state legislative districts as an illegal racial gerrymander.

The Supreme Court is considering whether Alabama grouped African-American voters into a few districts to enhance Republican prospects in other, mostly white districts.

Our country, too, needs to instill new habits. For the past few decades, and particularly over the past couple of years, our collective civic engagement has suffered. We just don’t have down the habit of democracy.

Those of us fighting for a free and open Internet got some good news this morning. President Obama just reiterated his strong stance on net neutrality, and asked FCC Chairman Tom Wheeler to reclassify broadband internet as a telecommunications service.