[ericingram]

The real problem is, people (not just politicians) want to hold on to the paradigm that you should be allowed to monopolize an idea. Ideas are not scarce resources like food or wood. Everyone on the planet can simultaneously use an idea without violating the physical property of anyone else.

I think in general, people like to fantasize about coming up with a great idea first, and becoming rich from it. This is only possible when the government allows you to monopolize an idea. SOPA is about monopolizing ideas.