But as patriotic Americans we sometimes have to put our personal interests aside and do what’s good for the country as a whole, and that’s why I support Obama. Internet regulation, as important as it may be, is one small issue in a whole slew of things that are going to be decided over the next eight years.

So you don’t need to prove that McCain has a better position on NN than Obama – I conceded that weeks ago. Just do your duty for your country.

In any event, we are entering dangerous times for the Internet. If regulations are passed that attempt to turn it into the Bell System of old, it will die. Forget about consumer choice or personalized service. And forget about the original paradigm on which the Internet was based. It won’t be a network of heterogeneous networks (with different ownership, policies, technologies, strengths and weaknesses) anymore. It’ll just be one network monopoly or duopoly.

Now consider what happens if Diebold elects McCain and he dies in office. Palin will listen to the Christian Coalition on this issue, and what do they want? To confiscate your business.

So you’re screwed either way.

I certainly don’t agree with McCain on everything, but he has his head on straight about the Internet — and Obama should adopt the same stance. Here’s what McCain told C|Net:

C|Net: Congress has considered Net neutrality legislation, but it never became law. Do you still support the legislation that was re-introduced in 2007 (S 215), which gives the FCC the power to punish “discriminatory” conduct by broadband providers?

McCain: In general, I believe that we need to move to a different model for enforcing competition on the Internet. Its focus should be on policing clearly anticompetitive behavior and consumer predation. In such a dynamic and innovative setting, it is not desirable for regulators to be required to anticipate market developments, intervene in the market, and try to micromanage American business and innovation.

In short, McCain is exactly right on this issue.

On the other hand, Obama’s campaign is making it quite clear that if he’s elected, I and other independent ISPs are going to lose our livelihoods. We will be regulated right out of business. We won’t be allowed to manage our networks, or to sell services which cost us more to provide for more money. Prove me wrong on this and I’ll consider voting for him, but as of the moment I cannot vote for someone whose stated agenda is to destroy my life’s work and harm the customers whom I’ve sweated blood to connect to the Net.

But look at the issue in the larger sense: if Sarah Palin becomes the stewardess of the economy, your customers won't have jobs. What does that do to your business?