Imagine if AT&T and Verizon controlled everything you see and do online.

Big telecom companies like AT&T and Verizon are spending tens of millions of dollars to push a law that would abandon the "First Amendment of the Internet" -- a principle called network neutrality.

As the Internet grows, it's not surprising that the big corporations want to seize control, discriminate against people with alternative viewpoints, favor certain types of content, and set up tollbooths wherever they can.

Without network neutrality, AT&T, Verizon and others will be free to slow down or block emails and Web sites they don't like -- including the Web sites of their critics and of people who don't share their politics.

Today, our free and open Internet allows individuals and organizations to speak truth to power. But if AT&T and Verizon have their way, an Internet provider who objected to the views of Working Assets, MoveOn.org Civic Action, Michael Moore, or Planned Parenthood could slow down our Web sites or even block them altogether.

Here are two things you can do to help save the Internet:

1. Sign the petition to Save the Internet.

Working Assets is cooperating with hundreds of other groups from across the political spectrum to preserve the open and fair character of the net -- and tell Congress to stop the telecom companies' power grab.

Add your name to the petition here. We're working with our coalition partners to get more than a million signatures on the petition and demonstrate to Congress that we won't let them hand over the Internet to private corporate interests without a huge fight.

2. Send a message to Big Telecom by switching to Working Assets

In addition to helping you raise your voice to Congress, Working Assets has a unique role to play in the fight to save the Internet. We're the only phone company participating in the Save the Internet coalition. But we also make it easy for you to stick it to AT&T and Verizon and help organize for Internet freedom with one simple act: switch your mobile phone and long distance service from the bad guys to Working Assets.

The best way to make AT&T and Verizon pay the price for this attack on our Internet is move your dollars to another company. So far, they say recent scandals aren't causing them to lose customers. If you're currently with AT&T, Cingular (AT&T's wireless arm) or Verizon, we can help you send them a message and raise money for the fight to save the Internet.

We're keeping a count of everyone who switches their mobile phone and long distance service in support of net neutrality (or pledges to switch their mobile phone when their contract is up.) And for every phone number you switch in response to this email, Working Assets will make a $50 donation to nonprofit advocacy and organizing for Internet freedom.

Click here to switch your wireless or long distance service, or pledge to do so once your current contract is up.