To understand why Representative Eric Massa is campaigning against Time Warner's proposed tiered, usage-based high-speed Internet plans, it helps to understand how he frames the issue.

Massa is taking the Chuck Schumer-approach: using the visibility and clout of his office to elevate the conversation, combined with a public push for legislation to correct the issue.

Even his remarks on the matter sound Schumer-esque. "It's all being done because they are an unregulated monopoly," Massa said during a conference call this morning.

In many parts of Massa's district, Time Warner is the sole provider of high-speed Internet service and Massa said that he considers it a utility. Frontier's DSL service, he says, is a different technology.

Time Warner says that the rate hikes are about fairness - the heaviest users, who put the most strain on the infrastructure and drive the need for expensive maintenance and upgrades, would pay the most.

But Massa said that SEC filings show no justification for that argument - instead they show that the company's connection costs are declining.

During this morning's conference call, Massa also took issue with the Time Warner's argument that subscribers should pay for what they use; after all, he said, it doesn't match up with how they charge for cable television service.

"Why can't you select the channels that you can have at home?" he said. "They don't provide that."

On a separate but related note, if Time Warner's proposal has upset you enough to protest, then this Saturday you can join other like-minded folks in front of the company's Mt. Hope Avenue office. The rally will start at 11 a.m.