Microsoft should sue the U.S. Government to eliminate corrupt antitrust laws!
Why do I say so? Because the Antitrust Laws in the U.S. are an infringement of the free speech rights of an aggregate group of individuals comprising a corporation (e.g. Microsoft).
C'mon, Bill Gates, stop being such a weenie about this and start being aggressive (your testimony to Congress was too weak and undeservingly polite for the congressmen in the U.S. politboro). Enough is enough. The U.S. has the best technology companies in the world. Why is our government fighting against our own people!?? Now Janet Reno and her henchmen are going after Intel.
Most economists would agree that a monoply cannot exist without government coercion. Anybody remember the antitrust litigation against IBM in the 1980's? How about GM in the 1960's and 70's? Both companies seemed to enjoy a monopoly, but have since been outpaced by competition and natural market forces.
Furthermore there has been little evidence of the negative aspects of monopoly: increasing prices, decreasing quality. Sure, MSFT has the dominant market share in O.S. software and Office software, but the people have voted with their dollars (and yen, and D-marks, and Francs, and pesos, and...).
Brian: Good article (also in today's WSJ)! The key quote was, "The U.S. government is a far worse monopoly than Microsoft."
BTW, I have no vested interest in MSFT shares, nor do I have an affinity or dislike for MSFT or Bill Gates. This is simply political venting.
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