What's really behind the leaked Verizon Net Neutrality memo

In the memo, Verizon's chief congressional lobbyist, Peter Davidson, said the financial services industry "better not start moaning in the future about a lack of sophisticated data links they need" if Net neutrality laws were passed because the communications industry may not invest in new networks.

At the same time, according to Reuters, Davidson argued that that broadband providers are not "going to do anything stupid to antagonize the people they rely on for their money!"

What's really going on here is that Verizon realizes that the financial sector- some members of whom have expressed initial concerns about preferential treatment of packets- is a natural, pro-business, anti-regulatory political ally that needs to be calmed and courted.  And if you tell the financial sector that you aren't going to screw 'em, then maybe they will line up right with you in your lobbying efforts to stop any meaningful legislation from passing.