Subj: [Fwd: New Internet Tax--Can YOU Afford It?] Date: Wed, 12 Feb, 1997 05:00 PM EDT From: pentiumpower@internetx.net You have until tomorrow to protest the new Internet "tax" which the FCC will be entertaining. Here is the message which I sent out to everyone that I could. I suggest that you spread this message as QUICKLY as possible. It is extremely important the FCC be bombarded by messages and then maybe, just MAYBE, we'll beat this thing! This is a VERY SERIOUS ISSUE!!!! It is extremely important and will determine whether or not the Internet continues to be available to all of us or just those who can afford massive fees. Figure it out, $.10 per minute is $6.00 per hour and this doesn't include your present monthly fees! Are YOU going to be willing or able to pay it! The following is a message which I sent out a week ago. The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is entertaining the possibility of permitting the telecommunications industry to impose a per minute charge on Internet Service Providers (ISPs). This charge will, obviously, be passed directly on to the user; US! Needless to say, this new "tax" will increase the cost of access to the Internet tremendously! I strongly believe that this will curtail the growth of the Internet dramatically. At a time when access to knowledge and learning is at an all time high, this additional "tax" will impose an incredible burden on the average user, to say nothing of very likely forcing many smaller ISPs out of business. In addition, this will cause an extremely adverse affect on the rural user who does not have toll free access to the larger ISPs, i.e., AOL, Prodigy and others. If you feel as I do, drop an Email message to the FCC who has requested comments. Their address is: mailto:isp@fcc.gov You may "click" directly on the address which will bring up an Email message box in most programs. Add your comments, pro or con, and send it off! Deadline for all comments is Thursday, February 13, 1997! My message follows. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Allowing the imposition of a per minute charge on Internet use will not only destroy the growth of the Internet, it flies in the face of improving the education of our children. Published figures indicate that--for the first time in decades--the television is being replaced by the computer. This growth, undoubtedly, will be wiped out by this proposed new "tax". In addition, to virtually eliminating access to sources of information over the entire world, no small Internet Service Provider (ISP) will be able to compete with the larger ones who will be able to negotiate lower rates. Another "kick in the pants" to small business! I summarily reject allowing the telecommunications industry to "reach into the pockets" of those of us who use the Internet (and rely on it) for our access to information! This single act--if permitted--will set back the "information age" decades! I IMPLORE YOU NOT PERMIT THE IMPOSITION OF THIS NEW TAX"!!!!!! ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ | Put Forth: | | "Your Best Image" | | with | | Computer System Configuration & Assistance | | Business Consulting, Guidance & Management Services | | Employer/Employee Human Relations Counseling | | Technical & Business Writing & Graphic Arts | | REsumEs, Interview Training & Employment Counseling | | | | Professional Business Consultants with over 30 Years Experience! | | | | Post Office Box 1438 Telephone (406) 642-3900 | | Hamilton, Montana 59840-1438 Fax (406) 642-3993 | | | | Email World Wide Web | | mailto:info@yourbestimage.com http://www.yourbestimage.com | |______________________________________________________________________| | Because e-mail can be altered electronically, | | the integrity of this communication cannot be guaranteed. |