Well, at least one Democratic congressman recognized a simple, popular issue he could run with. Ed Markey, Democrat from Massachusetts, introduced the Network Neutrality Act. Markey introduced a Network Neutrality amendment to a Republican-backed bill to hand over the Internet to AT&T & co., an amendment that was shot down, mostly by Republicans, but by some Democrats as well. So Markey is firing back:

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to introduce the “Network Neutrality Act of 2006.”  Joining me today as original cosponsors of this important legislation are Rep. Rick Boucher, Rep. Anna Eshoo and Rep. Jay Inslee. …

The Network Neutrality Act of 2006 offers Members a clear choice. It is a choice between favoring the broadband designs of a small handful of very large companies, and safeguarding the dreams of thousands of inventors, entrepreneurs, and small businesses. This legislation is designed to save the Internet and thwart those who seek to fundamentally and detrimentally alter the Internet as we know it. Mr. Speaker, I urge Members to support this bill and urge the House to take a decisive stand in favor of network neutrality.

This one is a winning issue, if it can run the Republican gauntlet; after all, there is literally zero benefit to the consumer, no added functionality nor savings of any sort–just a windfall to big Telecoms, at the cost of other businesses and the consumer. A classic giveaway of American citizens’ money and resources to big businesses. If the majority of Republicans and minority of Democrats that supported the Telecom push in committee recently continue to do so by trashing this bill, they run the risk of being castigated for it; there’s no other issue in the bill to hide behind.

AlterNet has several links to places you can sign petitions, or better yet, contact your congressional representatives and shout at them a bit.