WASHINGTON –Sen. Cory Booker (D., N.J.) has long been seen as a 21-century political figure: he has his famous Twitter account, has chronicled meetings with fellow Senators on Instagram, and launched his first Senate campaign at the Newark headquarters of Audible.com, an Amazon affiliate that crates audio-books.
So Booker Wednesday called the FCC's new Net neutrality rules "an extraordinary day for our democracy," linking the proposal "one of the most critical principles for our country."
"It's also this ideal that everyone's voice matters, that we can have equal access, that whether you are marginalized, whether you are a minority, whether you are small in economic power, that you too can participate on a fair open playing field, where powerful economic forces cannot choke your voice or further marginalize your opinions," Booker said at a press conference alongside Sens. Edward Markey (D., Mass.), Al Franken (D., Minn.) and Bernie Sanders (I., Vt.).
Booker said Net neutrality ensures that "people who want to go against the grain with unpopular ideas … can be treated in a neutral way … this is a fundamental ideal in our democracy worthy of preserving."
He also said the decision opens the door to small innovators and will allow "unimagined economic opportunity in the future to take place."
Top internet providers such as Comcast, Verizon and others, however, are wary of the new rules. A legal challenge is expected. Comcast has said it supports Net neutrality, but has worried that the FCC's regulations could stifle business and investment.
Booker, without citing any specific company, warned of "powerful forces that will continue to assault the ideal of Net neutrality."
You can follow Tamari on Twitter or email him at jtamari@phillynews.com.
