> What about competition ?

Hey Doug;

Can't disagree with you too much although there is a myth in this country  about "competition" and "free market" that somehow gives the implication that markets should be open to everyone and all levels all the time. There has never been a completely free market in this country since it's
beginning nor will there ever be. Half the reason we have a democratic government and resultant govt. regulations is to somehow try to create an environment that does not permit the big guys (richer) from eating up the little ones (poorer). The other half of governmental purpose seems to be
to provide a somewhat civilized process to allow the big guys to fight (compete) with the other big guys for market share. Our economic system encourages/depends on economic competition and this whole issue of communications is becoming so competitive (and cut throat) that we can only wait and see how the competition works out. Technology as well as politcis is a major driver of this issue and I suspect will eventually be a major contributor to its resolution. This issue to complex to simply blame "the government".