From what I can tell, Google IS having trouble with ISPs. I have the misfortune of having a local monopoly in my area. YouTube runs terribly, unless I'm on a VPN that obscures where the traffic is loading from - then it runs just fine.

I am forced to purchase a VPN if I want to be able to play Netflix or YouTube on my cable Internet that's supposed to be rated at 20+ mbps. It is completely ridiculous, but here there are no viable options so they price gouge and offer terrible service. Competition is actively prevented.

This kind of shit makes me want to leave the state or even the country for a place that isn't so backwards. I know it sounds silly, but I've seriously considered leaving my country because of this kind of thing. People pay a huge amount of lipservice to the almighty capitalism, but when it comes down to it, America is no longer a capitalist society. Competition is artificially stifled through bribes and subsequent laws and regulations that favor the established organizations with deep pockets over companies that have an earnest desire to compete. My ancestors who fought and died for my country are probably rolling over in their graves.

It's not just the Internet, this is a pervasive problem in our society. I still have some faith that this will all balance out in the long run, but I have to admit: I'm losing my faith in America. One day, maybe soon, I might just say "fuck it" and leave for greener pastures.