STR8UP said:
NO! The powers that be are conspiring to control the world!!!!! We must not allow this!!
I can't tell you how many credit cards I have had from one bank that became another bank that sold to a third bank. Before you know it I have 6 bank of america cards, 4 mbna, etc.
Yea, they're all out to get us.
str8up, that not what i said.
i said consolidation is simply about reducing workforce costs and increasing the profit margins on the products being sold by having less competition in the market.
it has nothing to do with them being out to get the consumer.
but when consolidation goes to far you do end up with monopolies.
most major industries in the US basically have 3-4 big vendors that own the industry. this is the result of consolidation.
its just like the political system. no third party can afford to compete against the dems or reps. once industries consolidate, no one can really challenge the 3-4 companies that control the market.
and why does it always end up being 3-4 companies? because the government won't allow there to be only 1-2, thats considered a monopoly and duopoly and is illegal. so 3-4 seems to be where the government say 'ok, we can say there is competition, so thats fine."
whats really scary is how these companies at the top are buying up other industries. and so you have huge companies owning all kinds of other companies, but you don't know they do.
the world of competition isn't as competitive as you would think when it comes to really big business.
oh and btw, in terms of the influence these companies wield. lets just say you'll never get invited to a presidential dinner, but the CEO of GE, Ford, etc. get invited every three months.
there is a good old boys club of the rich and powerful, dont fool yourself about that.
the question is to what extent they are actually conspiring to 'rule' the world if you will.