FCC Chairman Genachowski Needs to Speak Up

On Monday, Google and Verizon made it official: Forget "Don't Be Evil" — they're planning a massive corporate takeover of the Internet.

Their deal was met with a deafening public outcry — with hundreds of thousands of angry letters rolling in, and everyone from Silicon Valley innovators to leading members of Congress weighing in against the dangerous pact.

But one man was strangely silent: FCC Chairman Julius Genachowski.

You'd think the chairman would have something to say, given that two of the biggest companies on the Internet want to put toll roads on the information superhighway, eliminate Net Neutrality on wireless networks, and turn the FCC into a toothless watchdog.

We think it's time Chairman Genachowski spoke up.

We think it's time he denounced this deal in no uncertain terms.

We think it's time he made clear that these behemoths can't write their own rules — because that's his job.

And we think it's time that he deliver on his promise to restore the FCC's authority to protect Internet users and make Net Neutrality the rule of the road — once and for all.

If you agree, add your name to our letter to Chairman Genachowski:

    Dear Chairman Genachowski,

    Google and Verizon's pact has sparked a massive public outcry. People are upset because we've seen what happens when we let big companies regulate themselves or hope they'll do the right thing.

    Please denounce this deal and deliver on your promise to restore the FCC's authority to protect Internet users and make Net Neutrality the rule of the road.

    We know such a move may not be popular on Wall Street or in Silicon Valley, but it's the kind of leadership we need now.

    It's not up to Google and Verizon to make public policy. We're counting on you to save the Internet.

Chairman Genachowski has heard plenty from Google and Verizon. Now he needs to hear from you. Please sign the letter now.

P.S. People are reporting that emails from us, in which we ask you to urge FCC Chairman Julius Genachowski to denounce Google and Verizon's evil pact, got caught in G-mail’s spam filters. Fishy.

We're looking into what could have happened. But in the meantime, please add your name to our letter. We must remind the FCC Chairman that Google and Verizon don't create public policy — he does. And he needs to hear from you.