What Egypt Tells Us

Recently we have seen the government shut down the Internet in light of the anti-government protests in Egypt. The debate whether or not our government should have an Internet kill switch looms in an unfortunately bipartisan fashion. Some may say the issue at hand is one of national security but really it is about human rights and as modern conservative and libertarian cliche, the founders.
An Internet kill-switch is a negative action against the natural rights of man. A kill-switch would harm our first amendment rights to free-speech and a keystone aspect of our declaration of independence, the pursuit of happiness. The Constitution does not apply to just the men that rule and the popular ideas at the time, but rather the whole of the nation it is chartered to. Free speech applies to protesters, who dislike the ideas and principles behind self-rule and the tea-party members who use the document for political clout.
The idea of a kill-switch is popular among the ruling class because it further expands the power of those ruling and decreases the liberties of those ruled.The idea of increasing power in a government that shifts regimes so quickly and effectively is detrimental in the long run. Lets say the republicans, democrats or some other political force gains this power to shut down the Internet, then the ability of the apposing party to leverage this technology decreases. The rules of debate unfairly favor the ruling. The Internet, as a platform for free and open debate and communication, does not need to have stipulations when it can or cannot used politically.