Gary Johnson on Internet Freedom and Security

SOPA Protest

In January of 2012, Governor Johnson's campaign website was blacked out along with a number of other popular websites including wikipedia in protest of SOPA and PIPA type legislation. This story was reported by reason.com, which shows the text that was given on the campaign site and the image that was shown.

The article below from the LA Times is just one of many today reporting that we – millions of Americans who see the Internet as a last bastion of freedom – are maybe, just maybe, getting Congress attention about two very bad ideas: SOPA and PIPA.

Kudos to Wikipedia and the thousands of other sites who took action to let people know of these threats to Internet freedom, the flow of information, and the free market. As I have said, there are NO problems with the Internet that we want the government to try to fix!

This evening, as millions of parents find themselves answering their kids’ homework questions without the help of Wikipedia or any number of other sites that have changed the world, I hope everyone will visit Wikipedia, Google.com, or other sites to sign petitions or otherwise let Congress know that we want the government to keep its hands off the Internet.

 

Campaign Website Statements

Internet and Technology

It is not a coincidence that the one element of our modern economy that has been uniquely left free of government interference has created equally unique growth and transformation. An Internet free of regulation and taxation has produced innovation and enhancements to quality of life almost unparalleled in human history. If the market demands Internet services, speed and access, the market will provide them without any help from the government. The government, with its regulatory foot in the door, will inevitably end up attempting to regulate and referee content, speech, and commerce.

Don't Regulate A Good Thing
KEEP THE INTERNET THE CENSOR-FREE, AFFORDABLE TOOL it is today.

• Government should cease subsidizing or giving favorable treatment to Internet service providers and content-creators. 'Net Neutrality' leads to a government role in the Internet that can only lead to unwanted regulation.
• The FCC should not be allowed to create rules regulating content, Internet speeds, and pricing for services. The government should not be in the business of picking winners and losers in the content marketplace. The Internet should remain independent, accessible and market-based.
• Internet 'kill switch' legislation should be scrapped completely. No person or group of people should be able to turn off the Internet.

Don't Tax the Internet
ACCESS TO THE INTERNET MUST NOT BE taxed.

• The Internet has flourished and society has benefited immeasurably because it has remained relatively free of taxation. The moratorium on access and service taxation must be made permanent.
• Every scheme to impose a global Internet tax should be opposed.

Keep the Internet Free & Safe
THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT SHOULD NOT RESTRICT COMMERCE that doesn't hurt anyone.

• Political speech should in no way be censored.
• Online gambling should be legal for adults.
• Crimes committed online should be investigated and treated identically as crimes committed offline. This includes fraud and child pornography.
   

 

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