Great to see yet another graphically lush but short counterpunch nestled in such an instantly recognizable meme-world as Lake Wobegon- this is why your articles are so transferable to other publication formats. I dare the New York Times, or the Washington Post to print this on their weekend editorial pages!
The older I get and the more I see various leaders standing around "with their dicks in their hands" as my late uncle would say, the more I admire anyone who actually tries to attack a problem. If you try a solution and it fails, well that is just valuable information you can use when you brainstorm another solution.
This thing with Seattle and the food delivery people is a prime example. Already the "free market" crowd (lol) is declaring the law a huge bust. I think it's too early to say that, but if the law has some unintended consequences, amend it. Good on Seattle leaders for trying to find a solution, and let's not act like everyone was happy with the way things were before. It's also been interesting to see all these tech companies put other companies out of business by burning through cash, but nobody seemed to care about that being unfair.
I understand the efficiency argument for medium/large business but I don't agree that large conglomerate becomes efficient. I would argue they end of doing several things poorly. Behemoth, convulted entanglements. If these corporate profits were made fairly, in the sincere spirit of competition, that would be one thing. But, particularly in the last 20 years and after citizens united, we know that's not true.
My son's favorite movie as a kid was WALL-E. The downside trade-offs have a cost to be paid, even in a capitalist system. That's the role of government.
I've said this so many times over the years. It feels redundant. 🙏
Still need a robust, strong patent system to improve the economy and move past “neoliberalism”. Harmonization of our previously “gold standard” patent system has caused a huge drop in independent inventor and SME innovation and commensurate drop in patent attorneys and patent agents. Patents (circa 1952-1995) are a key component of American industrial policy. BigTech & BioPharma promised to compete fairly & to “beat the Chinese” in lobbying the lie “patent troll” narrative - we now reap what all that lobbying money has done to our entrepreneurs, inventors & small businesses.
Matt, is it true that all gas and diesel fuel has been confined in 2 distributors in the US. Not Sunoco, not Gulf, not Amoco etc but 2 cos that control the price. Is this true?
Great to see yet another graphically lush but short counterpunch nestled in such an instantly recognizable meme-world as Lake Wobegon- this is why your articles are so transferable to other publication formats. I dare the New York Times, or the Washington Post to print this on their weekend editorial pages!
The older I get and the more I see various leaders standing around "with their dicks in their hands" as my late uncle would say, the more I admire anyone who actually tries to attack a problem. If you try a solution and it fails, well that is just valuable information you can use when you brainstorm another solution.
This thing with Seattle and the food delivery people is a prime example. Already the "free market" crowd (lol) is declaring the law a huge bust. I think it's too early to say that, but if the law has some unintended consequences, amend it. Good on Seattle leaders for trying to find a solution, and let's not act like everyone was happy with the way things were before. It's also been interesting to see all these tech companies put other companies out of business by burning through cash, but nobody seemed to care about that being unfair.
Just read this piece on Private Equity monopolizing methadone clinics, might be of interest.
https://www.statnews.com/2024/03/19/methadone-clinics-opioid-addiction-private-equity/?utm_campaign=KHN%3A%20First%20Edition&utm_medium=email&_hsmi=298840907&_hsenc=p2ANqtz-9zCe9Zy5Iiw65CykUOnKoV5p3AZM2Ca_yDoS6epzxJqrBfzRSS9zwXeFH2VvqeZfG17dc6RgncQbvYJf7iBp4Tzfmrrg&utm_content=298840907&utm_source=hs_email
I understand the efficiency argument for medium/large business but I don't agree that large conglomerate becomes efficient. I would argue they end of doing several things poorly. Behemoth, convulted entanglements. If these corporate profits were made fairly, in the sincere spirit of competition, that would be one thing. But, particularly in the last 20 years and after citizens united, we know that's not true.
My son's favorite movie as a kid was WALL-E. The downside trade-offs have a cost to be paid, even in a capitalist system. That's the role of government.
I've said this so many times over the years. It feels redundant. 🙏
This is why I’m a subscriber. You took a complicated subject and explained it thoroughly and in non-legalese. Journalism at its finest! 😁
Still need a robust, strong patent system to improve the economy and move past “neoliberalism”. Harmonization of our previously “gold standard” patent system has caused a huge drop in independent inventor and SME innovation and commensurate drop in patent attorneys and patent agents. Patents (circa 1952-1995) are a key component of American industrial policy. BigTech & BioPharma promised to compete fairly & to “beat the Chinese” in lobbying the lie “patent troll” narrative - we now reap what all that lobbying money has done to our entrepreneurs, inventors & small businesses.
I'll check back with my source.
Matt, is it true that all gas and diesel fuel has been confined in 2 distributors in the US. Not Sunoco, not Gulf, not Amoco etc but 2 cos that control the price. Is this true?
Much better metrics!
On your charts, did you adjust for inflation?
Ms Kahn is the Ida Tarbell of now.
BRAVO!