It's 2010. We're living in the Age of Obama, a so-called "post racial" America where political correctness was supposed to give way to more honest discussions about ideology, culture and class. Instead, divisive tensions are at their highest, and whether we're talking about politics, the nation's economic viability, or our ever-changing media and communications landscape, the art of compromise has been pushed to the rear of many people's political and personal agendas.
It seems that in the midst of chaos - economic downturn and a battle for the changing of the political guard - some among us have lost the spirit of conciliation and compromise upon which this nation was built. It is in times such as these that it is most important to come together and identify the consensus-building opportunities that our nation needs. In no place is this truer than in the realm of politics, and interestingly enough, the political sphere of the present-day communications policy arena.
Since the 2008 election, a growing schism has emerged between the "haves" and "have mores" in the tech/communications realm. Epic battles have ensued over the complicated minutia of a regulatory concept known as "net neutrality," a concept with which too many Americans are unfamiliar and about which most Americans are unconcerned.
Just last week, as Congress went to recess, some applauded the valiant and nearly successful attempt by U.S. House Energy and Commerce Committee Chairman Henry Waxman to bring the epic net neutrality battle to a close - at least temporarily - with an open Internet bill that would have guaranteed the Internet protections we enjoy today. Others, self-styled "consumer advocates", reveled in the failure of what could have been a bi-partisan effort, and have since used it as fodder to promote a one-sided view of the issues. And now, the unsuccessful Waxman effort has become a rallying point to goad the FCC into hastily acting beyond its jurisdictional mandate to force through a version of net neutrality upon which most of the national minority organizations, as well as unions and environmental groups are highly skeptical.
I don't know what the net neutrality fray will have in store for us next, but I do know that Congress was close to finding a workable solution. In fact, if it wasn't "political silly season" with midterm elections right around the corner, it's likely that Chairman Waxman would have gotten more traction on his bill. By the same token, if the FCC is going to pursue this issue further, it should do so with an open mind and a respectful ear to what all interested parties are saying. President Obama set out an ambitious tech vision for this country's future; it's in our collective best interest that we work together in getting there.