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Ron, Rand Paul Push Internet Freedom

They want the government to keep its hands off

By Matt Cantor,  Newser Staff

Posted Jul 5, 2012 4:43 PM CDT

(Newser) – Ron Paul and his son Rand are backing a libertarian manifesto seeking to defend the Internet from government regulation. "Around the world, the real threat to Internet freedom comes not from bad people or inefficient markets ... but from governments' foolish attempts to manage and control innovation," says the document, penned by the libertarian group Campaign for Liberty. Both Pauls plan to make the issue a signature one, insiders tell BuzzFeed.

The Campaign for Liberty opposes net neutrality efforts from groups like Free Press, which also call for Internet freedom. The manifesto says such efforts aren't neutral at all, the Hill notes. "They are masters at hijacking the language of freedom and liberty to disingenuously push for more centralized control," the manifesto says. "'Openness' means government control of privately owned infrastructure. 'Net neutrality' means government acting as arbiter and enforcer of what it deems to be 'neutral.'"

Rep. Ron Paul, R-Texas, accompanied his son Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky. campaigns at the Steeple Gate Inn in Davenport, Iowa, Monday, Jan. 2, 2012.
Rep. Ron Paul, R-Texas, accompanied his son Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky. campaigns at the Steeple Gate Inn in Davenport, Iowa, Monday, Jan. 2, 2012.   (AP Photo/Charles Dharapak)
Rep. Ron Paul speaks at the University of California at Berkeley, Calif.
Rep. Ron Paul speaks at the University of California at Berkeley, Calif.   (AP Photo/Ben Margot, File)
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COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 39 comments
Hambone4x
Jul 6, 2012 2:43 PM CDT
So if your local internet provider sponsors your local sports team they could legally slow your access, or charge you for access or even black out access to every other sports teams websites.... This is what deregulation allows.
lahoud
Jul 5, 2012 9:44 PM CDT
And aluminum foil hats for all Americans!
LarryG
Jul 5, 2012 9:31 PM CDT
they shook the tree and father and son drop out,,,,,NUTS!!!
 

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