As a high school chemistry teacher, my access to small, independent stories and videos is critical, if I am to convey both the excitement as well as the dangers of the world of chemistry. There's no way a litigation-adverse school district would allow me to demonstrate all the CRAZY chemistry-related things people people do!

As a math and science teacher (recently retired) I was able to provide more current and thought-provoking activities that were web-based for my students as well as keep up with the latest ideas and methods in teaching content. I also was able to develop a website for my students that gave them an easy way to ask questions about content and assignments as well as keep track of their grades. I see all those benefits threatened by legislation to make the internet "pay-to-play." On a personal level I was able to travel on a work study trip to Guatemala and able to keep in touch with family through the internet. The cost of international phone calls was prohibitive and the modest fee for using computers very doable.

I am able to provide my second language students with affordable tutoring and free supplementary information through my personal web page. I also use that space to schedule appointments and answer immediate student questions; we would be greatly hindered by price-driven limited access, especially given that we try to maintain affordability.

My income depends upon it! As a recent graduate unable to find work in my field of study, I started a small online business. I barely make ends meet as it is. My future livelihood depends upon an open internet.

Companies like Comcast, Verizon, AT&T and others want to create a closed off Internet with restrictions to websites that they see as a threat to profit. They want to restrict access to knowledge and free information that we all have benefited from and that we all want the next generation to enjoy. I am a child of the Internet age and a free and open Internet has been my access to the world. No other time in history has humanity had access to such knowledge.

I use the internet to stay up to date on news and stay connected to my friends and family. I also buy things online that I can't get elsewhere. Professionally, I use it to access important educational material for my practical knowledge and to help my patients. Net neutrality is paramount to keeping the internet an equal opportunity medium for accessing information and subsequent empowerment.

I grew up on the Internet, I work remotely--over the Internet--and most of the products I consume come from the Internet. This lifestyle was established on a long-standing Internet principal, from which only the foolish depart, that all desirably-received traffic be created, and treated equally.

As a small medical provider I should have the same playing field as everyone else. Those that have money already are able to position themselves on the top of the page.

I live more than 700 miles from most of my family. I get online daily in order to stay in touch with them and would be devastated if I lost that connection. I also read online, watch TV shows and movies online, and my email is essential!

As a special education teacher, I constantly use the internet for special education sites, downloadable books, and many other educational resources. An open internet is vital for my line of work.

The Internet enriches the lives of my family by providing entertainment, knowledge and the world within a few clicks of a mouse button. Preventing the growth of our society so a few conglomerates can line their pockets is wrong. We need an open, fair and balanced Internet environment. Right now the Internet is a place of balanced access where all Internet services are treated equally. Now Comcast, Verizon and ATT want to change the rules and they've got the newest FCC appointee, Tom Wheeler, about to allow them to relegate websites they don't like to a "slow lane." That would include every non-profit organization, local website and small business site. It will almost certainly prevent any start-up from transforming into a Netflix, Twitter, Facebook or even Google. That doesn't sound smart for consumers or for the US.

An open internet allows world citizens to speak "truth to power." True democracy does not flourish in environments where profit and greed supercede the right to information. Dr. Newell Canfield