SusanofO
Posts: 5672
Joined: 12/19/2005 Status: offline
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SMC: And Beatrice Foods controls much of the nations grocery packaged foods sourcing. This doesn't mean it's not a competitive marketplace, as far as buying or selling food is concerned, IMO. Because there is still a lot of choice out there, as far as the end-user outlets go (as well as some producers). There is no price monopolizing happening (if there is, it is periodic and IMO, heavily reported, such as w/coffee, a few years back). IMO, If it were an objectionable monopoly (at least to me), there would not be any thriving local broadcasters, competing magazines, or even local newspapers that are operating at profit. In any case, *it hasn't impacted my freedom of choice from the standpoint of still offerring (and even expanding upon) niche marketing to a competitive consumer marketplace - as evidenced by the fact that I can still read the National Standard, or the Wall Street Journal, as easily as I can read Rolling Stone or Slate, with more medias outlets (magazines, website blogs related to national magazines, especially) opening every day. And then f course, there is YouTube, which unless I miss my guess nobody is "policing". I think the face of media is changing, but it isn't necessarily a detriment. I think a lot of it is un-avoidable, and due to the proliferation of the Internet. Google alone (to me) is an absolutely amazing tool. My guess is that if capitialism runs head-butting with any future (dark or not) government ideals re: Media control, that caplitalism will win out. Take one look at how the Feds approach health insurance industry lobby (as far as its impact on U.S. healthcare), if you want reassurance on that score (although that is kind of an ugly example, competition proliferates in that industry). Maybe not a perfect comparison, but IMO, one to note as far as which "American ideal" holds more weight. Capitalism is an "American ideal" too - and sometimes, IMO people can forget it has it drawbacks - but also has many, many benefits as well - not always in sync with what everyone wants, all the time. It's definitely not, always. But it is one reason I tend to be more of a Democrat than a Republican (even though I am a registered Independent, actually). I think overall, the Dems mix big business less with politics. But overall, I see capitalism as a good thing. - Susan
< Message edited by SusanofO -- 9/11/2007 11:29:31 AM >
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"Hope is the thing with feathers, That perches in the soul, And sings the tune without the words, And never stops at all". - Emily Dickinson
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