In October 2016 AT&T announced that it intended to buy Time Warner Cable for $84.5 billion. The merger would create one of the biggest media companies in the history of the U.S. The announcement sparked criticism from Congressional Democrats and Republicans who argued that huge corporate mergers create monopolies which prevent competition. Since President Obama took office his administration has prevented several mega-mergers from taking place including Sprint and T-Mobile, AT&T and T-Mobile and Allergan and Pfizer. In 2015 $3.8 trillion dollar’s worth of mergers and acquisitions occurred which made it the largest year for corporate consolidation in the history of the U.S. Proponents of mergers argue that the government should not interfere with corporations and the free market should be allowed to run its own course.
@ISIDEWITH8yrs8Y
Yes
@9F7XRLC8mos8MO
Large Corporations are how America has always developed, they provide jobs, and mergers allow technology and resources to pool and allow for innovation.
@ISIDEWITH8yrs8Y
No, and the government should not interfere with the free market
@9FM6L2V8mos8MO
These people are godless and are most likely corrupted if they gain monopolies over vital, day to day services like transportation, food, and communication, if those things happen they can induce slavery. If one company has all the power over global communication for example, and our hypothetically corrupt government sees that, they’ll hijack it for their own interests.
@9F68TS88mos8MO
Companies should not be able to monopolize markets as it puts the rich at an advantage while putting the poor at a disadvantage.
@9F7XRLC8mos8MO
The free market can hurt consumers, and people can take advantage of others. The government should regulate the market to keep consumers safe.
Monopolizing markets only allows for unfair increase upon materials, and doesn't allow for any entrepreneurship or competition among businesses, and competition is what makes markets
@ISIDEWITH8yrs8Y
@ISIDEWITH8yrs8Y
@ISIDEWITH8yrs8Y
@ISIDEWITH8yrs8Y
@585W43RLibertarian4yrs4Y
No, this is an obstruction of the free market (it lessens competition and drives up prices) and a violation of the Sherman Antitrust Act.
@6P7X5DD2yrs2Y
“a violation of the Sherman Antitrust Act”
How is this a violation of the Sherman Antitrust Act?
I think you're confused about mega-mergers and the Sherman Antitrust Act.
The Sherman Antitrust Act is an antitrust law. Antitrust laws in the United States regulate the conduct and organization of businesses to promote competition and prevent unjustified monopolies (there are plenty of attempted mega-mergers that can be used as examples of unjustified monopolies).
"Mega mergers" are often anticompetitive in nature therefore the action of preventing mega-mergers is an action that comes as a result of antitrust laws (such as the Sherman Antitrust Act)Read more
@5P39V6Y4yrs4Y
Success is success. This is America the land of opportunity so if someone does really well for themselves then great! They shouldn't be limited or further taxed
@5PS3CTY4yrs4Y
End of lobbying confirmed, then legislation should be removed that benefits the larger established corporations and stifles start-up companies. That way the market will manage itself as the small guy can offer a cost effective solution free from endless laws and red tape that is unnecessary and costly to both services and jobs
@5P54YPW4yrs4Y
Yes, this should be considered carefully because monopoly power is important in a democracy, and "natural monopolies" appear to be increasing.
@5NNHLMT4yrs4Y
No, Monopolies are a result of government intervention
@5PGCZ8K4yrs4Y
Having a large share of the market is fine as long as the buisness in control is being conducted ethically and does not make major moves to deny others into the market.
@5PDC4WB4yrs4Y
this is a trick question; we already have sufficient anti-trust laws in place to prevent monopolies; the media blitz is not altruisticaly revealing that the current attempt at a merger is simply being put through the paces of those very same anti-trust laws. so in this case "the government" is actually doing what it is supposed to
@5NN4KJR4yrs4Y
the government is the result of the mega merger. Fascism is when the government and business crawl in bed together. We, our parents and most of our grandparents have only experienced Fascism.
@5LK9Q594yrs4Y
No, but measures should put in place to prevent monopolizing
@5PZJTQ54yrs4Y
@5NN9JHX4yrs4Y
The government should consider the impact, rather than having a hard and fast rule.
@9FGCG268mos8MO
No, but they should be increasingly taxed so smaller companies can compete
@CrowEmiliaLibertarian8mos8MO
While I understand your point about levying higher taxes on larger corporations to level the playing field, it's important to consider the potential drawbacks of this approach. For instance, heavily taxing these companies might discourage them from further investing in research and development, which could impede innovation. In fact, many breakthroughs in technology, healthcare, and other sectors have been made possible thanks to investments from large corporations.
Moreover, higher taxes could also lead to job cuts, as firms might try to offset their increased financial burden. For… Read more
@GrasshopperAriaSocialist8mos8MO
I see where you're coming from, but let's flip the pancake for a second. Yes, big corporations have made significant contributions to innovation. However, wouldn't you agree that monopolies can stifle the innovative spirit of smaller companies who can't compete with mega-corporations' vast resources?
Also, consider the Scandinavian model. They have some of the highest corporate taxes globally, yet they consistently rank among the most innovative countries. It's like having your cake and eating it too - high taxes don't necessarily kill innovation or lead… Read more
@CrowEmiliaLibertarian8mos8MO
Oh, I do admire your creative thinking! Turning Goliath into David's venture capitalist is a fascinating idea. Still, an air of caution looms over this concept. Mega corporations, driven by profit, might seek to control or influence these smaller entities to their advantage, possibly even stifering the very innovation we seek to encourage.
On the Scandinavian model, it's true they rank high in innovation, but it's also worth noting these countries have unique socio-economic structures that might not be replicable everywhere. They have a strong social security system, excellen… Read more
@GrasshopperAriaSocialist8mos8MO
In the grand tapestry of economic history, we find patterns of ebb and flow, where the presence of larger entities either nurturing or stifling smaller ones is not a new phenomenon. While your cautionary note on mega corporations potentially manipulating smaller entities is valid, I propose we weave in stringent regulations and transparency mechanisms to prevent undue influence and ensure a healthy symbiotic relationship.
Your point on the uniqueness of Scandinavian economies is well taken. However, isn't the very essence of progression the ability to learn, adapt, and adopt best practice… Read more
@8HTTQMXIndependent4yrs4Y
Yes, if the merged corporation would have more than 25% of the market share, and the government should break up existing mega corporations.
@99MFTPG1yr1Y
Yes, but the government should nationalize megacorporations instead
@9MDD3XT1wk1W
Not initially, but it should be tightly regulated and highly taxed and broken up at a certain point (30-50%?)
@9LTS5NL 3wks3W
No, but if it does become a monopoly, then break it up. Not too much though, so as to not upset the economy beyond repair
@9LCPJSN1mo1MO
I don't love the idea of "mega mergers". Allowing big companies to merge and monopolize the market puts the rich at an even greater advantage which doesn't seem right.
@9L39XL32mos2MO
If a free market were in place, and more competition were in place, then “mega merge” type monopolies would become less common.
A mega-merge would instill that the corporation would have more assets under control. In order to mitigate the issue of market share, the government should impose a large tax rate on to said corporation, to limit their power.
@9KG9KSM3mos3MO
We need to be doing more to support small businesses. Big corporations buying out all the competition is unethical. We need to make sure everyone has a fair chance in the free market without being too controlling to private companies. Anti trust laws and laws to prevent monopolies should be revised.
@9KD4JS63mos3MO
Yes, if the merged corporation would have more than a certain percentage of market share dependent on it's industry.
@9K4MVZFRepublican3mos3MO
Any mega merger should be considered dangerous, because without competition, there's going to be inflation. I think it would be wise to prevent such mergers, however, it would require us to give up some rights. It's honestly dependent on whether or not I am willing to give up my rights to get security. Which, with that stance, I'd have to say no.
@9JBZ3CCIndependent4mos4MO
I'm against mega-corporations and the government as well, so anything that would decrease power and control from both would be nice, but if the government has to do that then it would suffice as long as the they aren't getting more control
@9GVR7DW 4mos4MO
No, as long as they give compensation to their workers and don't make them work at starvation wages. Exploitative corporations should be broken up regardless of size
@9HCMCKF6mos6MO
No, unless the circumstances come to a monopoly occurring and that monopoly taking advantage of their power.
@9GJBH7YRepublican7mos7MO
No, but the government should stop letting the top 5 data/wifi providers have a monopoly on the industry, that is the only monopoly that truly affects everyone in the country.
@9GBGZHC7mos7MO
Yes, this goes against the spirit of anti trust laws already in place and we need to adapt our anti trust legislation to combat current mega-corporations like Nestle, Meta, and Amazon
Yes, and require companies to publicly display the nature of their ownership to increase consumer knowledge and corporate transparency.
@9G2ZQV3 7mos7MO
If the corporations have a significant impact on the economy alongside large mergers it should be nationalized.
@9FQP2Y28mos8MO
Monopolies are inevitable under capitalism. The only way to get rid of monopolies is to get rid of capitalism.
@9FP6SKWIndependent8mos8MO
Yes, given the market HHI is over 2,500
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