Spend enough time inside the Beltway, and it seems as though almost all of the contentious policy debates are just repetitions or slight variations of some issue in the past. For example, debates over issues like taxes, spending, and health care have been eerily similar for decades. They stay similar because they’re difficult.
And now, even though the Internet is still, relatively speaking, a young technology, policy debates about it are falling into this cycle.
The bonus to identifying such predictable patterns? The players are easy to identify, and their tactics are even easier to forecast.
For instance, several weeks ago netroots groups launched a spirited opposition to the revocation of the Obama-era FCC’ broadband privacy rules in Congress under the Congressional Review Act. They are claiming–falsely– that Internet service providers can now start selling your browsing history. (This is illegal and no one does this.) What the change does allow for is the market to return to the same regulatory environment that helped spur the growth that we have seen over the past two decades. Netroots activists are also prone to making disproved claims, such as saying Republicans are out to “destroy” the Internet and sell your privacy to trick consumers into supporting them. FCC Chairman Ajit Pai and FTC Chairman Maureen Ohlhausen even noted this “wildfire of misinformation” and “hyperventilating headlines” with regards to the recent privacy debate.
The real outrage campaign will soon begin over impending net neutrality action at the FCC and in Congress. In fact, while protesting the rollback of the privacy rule, netroots groups promised their efforts were only a preview of what’s in store for the fight over net neutrality.
So, let’s take a look at what’s ahead for net neutrality.
1. Aggressive Fundraising. Activist organizations including the Electronic Frontier Foundation, Fight for the Future, Demand Progress, Free Press, and Public Knowledge all sent out multiple fundraising pitches in attempts to exploit the debate around privacy to raise money. The DNC, DSCC, Sen. Bill Nelson (D-FL), and the Kentucky Democratic Party also leveraged the issue to bolster their fundraising. But the best is yet to come. Net neutrality is the golden goose to these groups who are completely vested in ensuring the debate drags on indefinitely.
2. Flooding the Hill. According to Free Press, activists made more than 15,000 calls into Congressional offices in advance of the privacy vote. In reality, the groups pushed supporters into action through a well-funded campaign operation. In a recent interview, Free Press’s Craig Aaron noted his group’s intention to devote more attention to Capitol Hill than they did during the Obama administration. And notably, the group is increasing its attention on disruptive activities in representatives’ home states and districts. MoveOn.org’s Resistance Recess helped supporters find town hall meetings in their area during recess and supplied them with talking points from Free Press.
3. Online Activism. “Slacktivism” will be on full display. Netroots activists will use every tool at their disposal to generate signatures for online petitions and will bully the other side on social media.
4. Direct political attacks. Fight for the Future went as far as posting billboards to fundraise in the districts of members who supported the privacy bill. Look for more of the same as the net neutrality debate unfolds, with any policymaker who dares disagree subject to demonization, substance-free attacks, and accusations.
It isn’t every day that your opponents’ playbook is so predictable. And as the dust settles from last month’s privacy showdown, Republicans should be prepared for much more to come with net neutrality.
Charles Sauer is president of the Market Institute.
