Does the number of comments really change anything? Not criticizing just wondering. This seems like a letter-writing campaign without the added inconvenience of an office full of paper.
The FCC is kind enough to list the number of comments publicly, which is valuable in itself. Most letter-writing campaigns and petitions go unacknowledged, but it's a lot harder for the FCC to dismiss comments that they themselves solicit and publish.
> Does the number of comments really change anything?
My understanding of regulatory proceedings is that the number and substance of the comments tends to play a role but (in a way, somewhat opposite of many legislative proceedings) the substance is a lot more significant than the numbers. The purpose of the comment period isn't to get a pulse of popular opinion, its to assure that the policy analysis underlying the regulatory action is able to consider all relevant information, including information that may not have been apparent to the commission's staff.
The individually most effective comments, then, are probably those like Mozilla's, which not only makes very specific recommendations, directly addressing the points raised in the call for comments, with strong support and analysis behind the recommendations.
As noted by another top-level comment, the comments submitted to the FCC during this period become part of the record, and can be used subsequently by courts in ruling on the legality or implications of the FCC's decisions.
Yes; if a rule making leads to litigation, the number and tenor of public comments can be used as evidence for it against the legitimacy of the final rule.
Realistically no. Government in America is crafted to serve business.
EDIT Not sure why the downvotes. Historically it's been true. Most wars we have been involved with have been to serve an industry or spend much of the budget on defense (after WWII anyhow). Citizens United was created to treat companies as people. Obamacare, while started with good intentions, ultimately created a gift for insurance companies. Lobbyist run much of Washington and local governments, and are rarely funded by your average citizen.
Cases like net neutrality may be denied/shutdown today, but it's a topic that will show up year after year, under a different name, with different verbiage by the end goal will be the same. I don't see this working out for the average American citizen. Take it for what it is but money talks, especially in politics.
rhino369|11 years ago
However, there is no way they address every single letter. They'll just summarize what all the public comments argument and address that.
So unless you come up with some new groundbreaking comment, it has no effect.
I want my NETFLIX! comments won't do shit.
matchu|11 years ago
dragonwriter|11 years ago
My understanding of regulatory proceedings is that the number and substance of the comments tends to play a role but (in a way, somewhat opposite of many legislative proceedings) the substance is a lot more significant than the numbers. The purpose of the comment period isn't to get a pulse of popular opinion, its to assure that the policy analysis underlying the regulatory action is able to consider all relevant information, including information that may not have been apparent to the commission's staff.
The individually most effective comments, then, are probably those like Mozilla's, which not only makes very specific recommendations, directly addressing the points raised in the call for comments, with strong support and analysis behind the recommendations.
rosser|11 years ago
snowwrestler|11 years ago
ProAm|11 years ago
EDIT Not sure why the downvotes. Historically it's been true. Most wars we have been involved with have been to serve an industry or spend much of the budget on defense (after WWII anyhow). Citizens United was created to treat companies as people. Obamacare, while started with good intentions, ultimately created a gift for insurance companies. Lobbyist run much of Washington and local governments, and are rarely funded by your average citizen.
Cases like net neutrality may be denied/shutdown today, but it's a topic that will show up year after year, under a different name, with different verbiage by the end goal will be the same. I don't see this working out for the average American citizen. Take it for what it is but money talks, especially in politics.