Silicon Investor (SI) -- The First Internet Community

STOCKTALK

We've detected that you're using an ad content blocking browser plug-in or feature. Ads provide a critical source of revenue to the continued operation of Silicon Investor. We ask that you disable ad blocking while on Silicon Investor in the best interests of our community. If you are not using an ad blocker but are still receiving this message, make sure your browser's tracking protection is set to the 'standard' level.

Technology Stocks : MSFT Internet Explorer vs. NSCP Navigator -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: Daniel Schuh who wrote (23705)	11/30/1999 12:30:00 AM
From: Gerald R. Lampton	Read Replies (2) \| Respond to of 24154

Why do you think any "left-liberal" or "social democrat" would be discredited by taking money from Microsoft? Assuming they stay on the public radar screen in their present form, over time, I think the public's current love affair with Microsoft and Chairman Bill will sour and that both will be demonized, and that anyone who takes money from them will be perceived to be their tool, just as all the various think tanks that are now taking Microsoft money are being accused of being Microsoft tools. Let's see how the public views them after the next recession. , and it's somewhat prudent to spread it across both sides of the aisle Fair enough. I understand the argument, and I'm sure that's what they're doing. However, the Microsoft antitrust case only makes sense when viewed within the framework of a particular ideology. To the extent that Microsoft money goes to the advocates of that ideology, it simply strengthens the ability of their enemies to build ideological support for destroying them. Don't get me wrong. I'm not saying that Microserfs should all become rabid Republicans or that the Christian right wing of the Republican Party is any better than the interventionst Democrats. They both want to use the government intervention to squelch freedom and promote their social objectives, however different those objectives may be. After all, Gary Baur once said on national TV that he does not care what kind of economic system the U.S. has (just one of many reasons why I don't care for him!). As an aside, Cato published some comments on Posner's appointment as a mediator in the case, with emphasis on his tract, "Natural Monopoly and Its Regulation." Your favorite Microsoft tool, Robert Levy, also gets a mention. cato.org