United States Antitrust Policies

The Obama administration announced on May 11 that the U.S. Government is tightening its policies and will move against big firms that hurt smaller firms and competitors.  A lax of enforcement by the Bush administration was cited as a contributor to the current economic troubles.

 

Assistant Attorney General Christine Varney said the Justice Department is abandoning legal guidelines established by the Bush administration that made it difficult to pursue antitrust cases against big firms.  Varney said there was a high cost to standing aside and the government has to change course with a new tack.  The new rules will return to the antitrust policies of the Clinton administration.

 

The lack of antitrust enforcement has once again proved that corporate America can not be trusted to do the right thing on their own.  That has been talked about in politidose for a long time,  Giant firms buying up their competitors have never resulted in lower prices or better products for the consumers.  In fact just the opposite takes place.

 

A fair enforcement of the antitrust laws and using that avenue to protect the consumer and smaller businesses is long overdue.  We know because of the present economic meltdown what big business power can do when in the hands of the most wealthy.  They have a free hand to do as they wish with out checks and balances.

 

This antitrust decision is good news for the consumer.  Now the government has to follow through on its promise.