Here's how you know I'm actually pretty dumb: it took me all night to realize how innane this conversation is.

"How often does the govt maintain the status quo once it gets involved in something?"

"What I meant was, we’re going find out how the new regs workout. That’s unknowable at the moment."

"Because I'm generally very satisfied with my internet and cell service!"

"I guess we're gonna find out"

" I don't know where you get the idea that regulating it under a law devised in the 30's has somehow made more sense all along."

"And if you think Comcast are secret Republicans and MSNBC is just a fake out, I can only conclude that you're intentionally blind about their collution. "

"the actual builders and providers of service that have to win your business"

I suppose I would concede that such a break with normal procedure would have been "better", but I do not know that it was absolutely necessary. Either way, the democratic norms have been followed, so I do not agree that the democratic legitimacy of the decision can be questioned.

"Even if you believe fast lanes would create major problems in the future or that there should be a law against them, is that alone enough to justify reclassifying the internet as a utility?"

That sounds right. Having written governmental regulations before, that was certainly how we did it.

"Comcast didn't lose anything!"

And it would be just that, a break from normal procedures.

"Obamacare" is still unpopular, and probably always will be. "Giving people health care even if they have pre-existing conditions" or "tax subsidies to buy health care" have always been popular, and probably always will be.

"So you could explain the 332-page regulation that was voted upon today?"

"This does not hurt Comcast, since Comcast and government are one!"

There were 4 million comments of public review and consideration. Can't pretend the democratic process doesn't exist just 'cause you don't like the outcome.

"Let's see who they'll blame when we all start getting $200 Internet bills."

I dunno, I can't comment on their business model.

If I go over my 2 gigs a month (or whatever, I've never gone over it) I have to pay more. This decision isn't gonna change that. So your analogy holds up, actually. In fact, this decision makes ISPs more like water companies, electric companies, etc.