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A number of high profile websites including Wikipedia are “going dark” today in protest of… and to bring attention to… a pair of controversial bills in congress. SOPA, the stop online piracy act in the house and PIPA, the protect I-P act in the senate are designed to crack down on the illegal sharing of movies and music on the web.
Georgia Congressman Lynn Westmoreland says the government has no place regulating the internet. “Look. The internet is both a blessing and a curse,” he says. “It’s a blessing that it’s become such a big part of our lives with getting answers to things quickly… It’s been a curse concerning the piracy issue and pornography.”
“But, I’m telling you,” Westmoreland continues. “The government, if we intervene, it will be even worse. And so we need to keep it the same way it is.”
The federal government is also expected to impose a $100 per-in-flight fee for use of air traffic services this year. Local opponents of the plan fear this could harm private aviation at the West Georgia Regional Airport, resulting in fewer aircraft, less hangar rent and less taxes for Carroll and Haralson counties.
Westmoreland says this is another example of the government trying to find anything that it can tax. “There is enough money from what people are charged right now for airline tickets, extra baggage… all the other B.S.- water, blankets, pillows. Give me a break,” he says. “We don’t need to get into private aviation and be charging a $100 FAA fee. That’s crazy. I’ll fight it and I don’t think it has a chance of passing.”
Office of Management & Budget, Associate Director for General Government Programs, Dana Hyde is quoted as saying the fee would both “ensure that everyone is paying their fair share” and help reduce the deficit.