The big corporations that dominate our government through lobbying and campaign contributions are now trying to take over one of the few venues of true equality left in our society: the Internet. Thanks to "Net Neutrality" everyone currently has equal access to the Internet (at public libraries, if nothing else), and through it the average Joe has just as much ability to reach millions of people as do the largest companies.

Big surprise: A group of the largest Internet Service Providers, including Verizon, Comcast, BellSouth, Time Warner and ATT, want to create a "tiered system." By paying a large fee, a big corporation or special interest would be able to guarantee that its Web pages opened faster in people's browsers and appeared first in their search engines. These providers would also be able to block access to sites whose political content they disliked.

In the next few days, the House of Representatives is expected to vote on a bill called the Communications Opportunity, Promotion and Enhancement (COPE) Act of 2006. The current version (HR 5252) includes watered-down Net Neutrality provisions that are essentially meaningless. An amendment offered by Rep. Ed Markey (D-Mass.), which would have instituted real Net Neutrality requirements, was defeated in committee after intense industry lobbying against it. Markey is preparing to introduce his amendment on the floor so that the vote of every member of the House will be on the record.

The only thing that might counteract lobbying influence is public outcry. It's easy to do through the Web site Save TheInternet.com. Ask Sen. Frank Lautenberg to support the "bipartisan Snowe/Dorgan Internet Freedom Amendment to the COPE telecom law." In the House, Rep. William Pascrell should support "Rep. Ed Markey's Network Neutrality amendment to the COPE telecom law" when it comes up on the House floor.

Montclair residents, please add your voices.

CARRIE CANTOR

Montclair