According to a recent press release posted by the Small Business& Entrepreneurship Council (SBE Council) in late February, anonpartisan advocacy, research and education organization focusedon protecting small business and fostering entrepreneurship, "Thevote by three members of the FCC to regulate the Internet witharchaic public utility rules represents everything that Americansand entrepreneurs dislike about Washington."

According to the release, the final regulatory steps weresecretive, in that the contents of Chairman Tom Wheeler's plan werehidden from the public prior to the vote. "Therefore, there was noopportunity to hear the views of ordinary citizens andentrepreneurs."

The release added, "America's Internet has been the new frontierfor innovation and entrepreneurship. Small businesses and theirworkforces have benefited greatly from the broadband Internet andtechnological tools that increase their productivity andcompetitiveness. Vigorous investment and significant risks taken bymany in the private sector created these amazing technologies. Thisinnovation has occurred under light-touch regulation, supported byDemocrats and Republicans over the years, recognizing thatintrusive government action could upend the potential of theInternet."