I agree that Jeff can be a whiny baby, but sometimes a whiny baby is right, at least in part. Me, I’m just glad I’m not trying to make a living flying whiny babies around for pennies. I just have to fly with them, and so I thank the Lord for the iPod.

Today there is only one comic book distributor in the U.S., Diamond.

The government did investigate Diamond a few years back, and found that they were doing nothing against the law.

(If anything is proved by this argument, it’s that sooner or later, everything comes back around to comics.)

AT&T was broken up because it was using it’s local service monopoly to give itself an unfair advantage in the long distance service market.

The Baby Bells were still monopolies, with 100% market share of their respective service areas.

Couldnt agree more. Was delayed 2 hrs recently as a pilot explained that there was poor visibility and so he could not land at LGA.

He assured us that he had enough fuel to “circle and make multiple attempts” and then proceeded to repeatedly dive bomb the runway! To add insult to injury, the pilot explained that he would try a few times and then just go to JFK. Eventually he landed to rapturous applause.

Is this a new tactic to increase appreciation? You want water? We got you here alive, what else do you want!

Maybe its time to look at a mechanism to use discontent as an indicator (via buzz and sentiment) of possible collusion, monopoly behavior and need for regulation? Hopefully the same tool can be used to spur entrepreneurs to throw their hat into the ring and find a better way.

I’d be ready to give up flying tomorrow, alas no easy domestic alternative at the price point. Not so for cable, I think. Returned my cable box and now happily enjoy Apple TV. Gave up a little, but the enjoyment of unplugging my cable box and returning it, is priceless. I guess I just have to work harder to avoid commercial or start driving more.

- Shaun

Remember when ATT had close to 100% and they were dismembered into several parts. Why did the law force ATT dismember but not microsoft?

Have you seen the sickening boot licking of Bill Gates in a recent Congressional hearing. He is the only one who is not abused.

Having a large market share is not a crime, in and of itself. It’s how one uses that advantage fairly or unfairly that determines wether or not action should be taken against a company.

The goal of anti-trust law is not to say “a company shall not have over X% market share”.

It’s not Microsoft’s fault you don’t choose Apple, Linux, or some other O.S. The ability to switch platforms (especially at the consumer level) is easier than ever.

And I’ll reiterate it, MS still subject to lots of anti-trust actions. It’s hardly being ignored.

What Planet are you on?

Any other company that still controls 92% of the market would be considereda BIG Monopoly that must be cut down to size.
Name one other industry for which it is allowed for 92% of the market to be controlled by one company.

That said, I absolutely love flying JetBlue, because they offer better service for a better price than many other carriers I’ve flown with. Oh, and another thing: If I had any say in the matter, flight tickets should cost twice as much. Say “kerosene tax”, everybody.

What planet are you on? MS had had tons of anti-trust actions taken against it here and abroad. And they get plenty of news coverage.

Most hardened libertarians don’t see any role for government, believing instead that the “market” will resolve all problems. I should amend that, they do, generally, see a role for government in protecting private property.

So, if you have a coherent philosophy which allows for some regulation, but not other types, it would instructive to hear it. (I’m not being snide, good arguments are hard to find.)

As long as multiple listing services are allowed to maintain their monopoly and as long as collusion between agents is the accepted industry norm, the situation will not improve.

bob wyman

in this context, having suffered the IRS and having had to pay loads of money to them makes me qualified to rant about the tax system and how it could be improved, despite my complete lack of knowledge about economics? Wait, the Journalistic Credibility Warning Light needs adjusting, it’s flashing wildly all of a sudden.

the responses to your post remind me of the US auto industry in 70’s/80’s when the Japanese started kicking their asses. The same sort self-centered whining, self-justificatiion, feelings of entitlement, and customer-hostile attitudes were coming out of Detroit at that time. Now Chrysler is a shadow of former self, Toyota has overtaken Ford and is threatening GM. And the attitude in Detroit is much humbler than it was. One wonders how long it will take the airline industry to change.

We switched to DISH network, (and now have DirecTV, because there is a BIG difference between TiVO and just a PVR.)

They also have competition from network websites, local newspaper and TV station websites, YouTube, Blockbuster and Netflix, and from torrents. Also from bowling leagues and bass boats.

And if you really miss Comcast’s customer service, you can always call your mother-in-law on the phone….