AS noted business talks a good game except when they want government protection.

Reader comment on: Martha's Vineyard Gas Prices

Submitted by Lyle (United States), Mar 2, 2011 09:13

Here as in many areas businesses are willing to talk about the free market except when they are subject to it. Of course this was J.P. Morgan's (the banker not today's bank) point of view competition was ugly and inefficient and needed to be shut down. He helped the railroads collude, stopped the NYC and Pennsylvania railroads from competing, and built US Steel including Carnegie because Carnegie was eating every other steel maker's lunch. So it's nothing new, if I want to go into a new area give me freedom but if someone wants to come into my business I invent reasons and lobby to have the government keep them out. This is the real crony capitalism, it ranges from the fact that taxi cab permits are limited in number on up. For taxis why not just set standards and anyone who meets them can become a cab. Why not allow jitneys (with safety standards)? Because some business wants to be protected from the evils of free commerce.

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