Judging by his big Reese's mug, Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Chairman Ajit Pai seems to like, as do many, chocolate, peanut butter and coffee. But, he seems to hate, as do only a very few, internet freedom. In 2015, the FCC issued an order, which secured that freedom. The order changed the classification of internet service providers (ISPs) from information services to telecommunications services. As a telecommunications service, an ISP must not interfere with the content a person chooses to receive or send. That ISP must follow FCC net neutrality rules to not throttle or block lawful data based on its origin or content. When Donald Trump got elected, a Republican majority on the FCC became inevitable. Shortly after, Pai gave a speech, and recounted how, on the day the FCC issued its order to secure net neutrality, he said that he believed "its days are numbered." He said, "Today, I am more confident than ever that this prediction will come true." And, as it has unfolded, Pai himself has become FCC Chairman, and is leading the charge to snuff net neutrality.
But, as a commissioner since 2012, Pai must know that net neutrality is very popular. And he would know that millions of internet denizens posted four million comments to urge the commission to secure net neutrality. Not long after, the FCC issued its order to do so. In cutting against that popularity, Pai has been less than forthright, and has used tricks in getting to his goal. Let's look at some of Pai's tricks.
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