Does Obama’s support of Net neutrality make him the most left-leaning president we’ve had?
Earlier this week, President Obama gave an official statement about his stance on Net neutrality, something that’s created quite a buzz since last spring. Reports The Boston Globe, “In a long-anticipated statement, Obama staked out an aggressive position in favor of Net neutrality,” of the president’s newly declared stance.
Net neutrality has been discussed on Industry Buzz before; basically, it’s a principle currently in place that makes it so governments treat each piece of data on the Internet equally. “The issue has triggered a fierce political battle in Washington among titans of the technology industry,” explain Dan Adams and Nidhi Subbaraman, “and has sparked millions of Americans to inundate regulators with recommendations and concerns,” of how intensely the issue has gripped the policymakers and the American public.
Part of his official statement reads as follows:
An open Internet is essential to the American economy, and increasingly to our very way of life. By lowering the cost of launching a new idea, igniting new political movements, and bringing communities closer together, it has been one of the most significant democratizing influences the world has ever known. […] When I was a candidate for this office, I made clear my commitment to a free and open Internet, and my commitment remains as strong as ever.
This is not the first time the president has come out in support of left-leaning issues. In 2012, after being advised by political strategists David Plouffe and Ken Mehlman, Obama publicly announced his support of same-sex marriage. Calling this a presidential milestone is a massive understatement; progress for the LGBT community in America has historically moved at an incredibly slow pace, and to have the president come out in support of marriage equality was truly groundbreaking.
And while many argue that Obama is actually not the most liberal president to date, there is no denying that his stance tends to be more progressive than those of the majority of past presidents.
How do you feel about Obama’s stance on Net neutrality? You can read his full statement here.
Featured Image: Steve Jurvetson via Flickr CC.
