This is my last post on the subject. After this I give up. I'm tired of arguing with people who try to make it appear that they're blowing holes in arguments that I never made.
The ISPs are entirely private, and the fact the government gives them money doesn't change that, any more than a private grant would
NO ONE has said that the ISPs are not private. NO ONE has claimed that getting government money changes that!
(that is, you can make the grant conditional, but that doesn't mean you get to order them around after!)
You bet your ass they can! If grants, subsidies, and monopoly protection are given subject to government regulation, you do not get to take the cash and then say "kiss my ass", if you don't like the regulations and controls.
Additionally, the commerce clause does not allow the Federal government to regulate Intrastate trade or own or operate the Internet, such as how an ISP will regulate their own network (outside of the necessary and proper clause which would let Congress manage, for instance, a military network for the military to use, but this wouldn't be open to customers)
This is why I'm giving up. I'm either being trolled for the fun of it, or I'm arguing with an idiot. Are you seriously claiming that the Internet is "intrastate"? Do you seriously believe that a company that sells international communications access is not subject to the Commerce Clause? Tell that to the FCC.
I'll leave that, because even if you do believe that everyone on Slashdot is a resident of your state, it doesn't matter. Call it terms of service, consent decree, contract, whatever. If companies agree to be regulated in return for subsidies, protected monopoly status, etc. THEY CAN BE REGULATED. THEY AGREED TO IT WHEN THEY TOOK THE MONEY TO PROVIDE THE SERVICE.