Monopolist's Worst Nightmare: The Elizabeth Warren Interview

[TexasTowelie]

We have the most intense concentration of corporate power in America since the Gilded Age of the late 1800s. And Senator Elizabeth Warren has a plan for that, as you might have heard. The presidential candidate has long been one of the few public officials to address the growing dominance of monopolies, and she’s highlighted the problem—and how to fix it—on the campaign trail. (She’s even placed billboards demanding the breakup of Big Tech in Silicon Valley’s backyard.)

I had a chance to talk with Warren between Senate votes in Washington. We discussed how she talks about monopolies to the public, what Congress can do with its authority, and building an antitrust movement.


David Dayen: We’re doing this issue about economic concentration. And one thing I’ve noticed is that, probably since 1912 there hasn’t been this much talk about monopoly in a presidential context, in a presidential race. To what do you attribute that? I mean, why do you think this issue has inspired this interest at this time?

Elizabeth Warren: I believe the central question in America today is who government works for. Yeah, it’s got a lot of different directions, but that’s the fundamental one. Is it just going to work for the rich and the powerful, or is it going to work for everyone else? Antitrust cuts right to the heart of that. We’ve had a government that has kissed up to every giant corporation for decades. It has weakened antitrust enforcement, looked the other way on mergers, passed on deals that everyone knew were anti-competitive and would be bad for the economy and bad for competition but good for the bottom line of the companies that wanted it. And no one so much as fluttered an eyelash over it. And that’s started to change. And I think—So here’s my thinking: it’s because we’re focusing more on what’s wrong in this country. It’s not like somebody woke up and just said “antitrust”—we’re not that nerdy—but it’s about what’s wrong in this country. And as people increasingly see that the problem is not an overreaching government, the problem is a government that won’t get in the fight on the side of the people. Antitrust becomes one of the clearest places to see that.

Read more: https://prospect.org/article/monopolists-worst-nightmare-elizabeth-warren-interview

[True Blue American]

1. Why do you think

Republicans have put roadblocks in front of her every step of the way. They refused to let her run her own Consumer Agency. So she ran for the Senate and knocked Playboy Brown out.

Since then she has been making waves all over.

At this point I have not decided but Biden/ Warren is looking better every day. He would reshape the Presidency, she would clean up the Agencies that Trump and his billionaires have screwed up.

Take a look at that motley crew lining up for Trump. Wearing Flag clothes. That,to me is a desecration of our flag. That Flag is to be honored, not worn.

[rpannier]

2. She won't take the Veep slot and I think it would be a bad idea

Her seat would likely go to a Republikkan, even if it were briefly
I wouldn't chance another special election
He needs someone further west (Midwest, Mtn or west coast)

[zipplewrath]

3. Funny how that's morphed

Take a look at that motley crew lining up for Trump. Wearing Flag clothes. That,to me is a desecration of our flag. That Flag is to be honored, not worn.

In my youth, the conservatives were all up in arms because the "hippies" wore flag themed clothing.

[True Blue American]

6. Well this

Conservative Democrat, who had so many in the War, including Omaha, second wave that was honored on Memorial Day has always found it offensive. I have trouble even getting rid of one. The Flag is a symbol of what many died for. Not just a piece of cloth to be denigrated. Hippy, or tight wing!

[marylandblue]

4. That was a great interview. nt

[safeinOhio]

5. He has a big problem with strong women.

Nothing made him look as bad as when he stocked Hillary at that debate.

[True Blue American]

7. If I had even thought

Of voting for him that moment was very revealing to what he is, was, always will be.

The reason I think Elizabeth would take VP is because they would make a great team, and she would step right into the Presidency after Biden's one term.

But I have not decided yet, too many good, brilliant young ones to take Trump down. We have a huge group of Stable Geniuses, real ones!

[empedocles]

8. Biggest monopolists/ologopolists nightmare would be . . .

. . . the biggest, possible Dem landslides in the Senate and House.

[NYMinute]

9. K&R nt

[riversedge]

10. Warren hit the nail on its head, now to hit the solution.