Today, a mother can go online to reorder a supply of diapers for her newborn. A father can search for a new job to support his family. A daughter can apply for college. A grandmother can video chat with her grandchildren.

Millions of Americans do these things and more with an Internet connection every day. But imagine this Internet connection being just out of reach. Imagine the opportunity lost, the civic engagement forgone, and the disconnect created between the American way of life and the rest of the world. An impending tax on Internet access could very well make this a reality.