Elizabeth Warren vows to break up tech giants if elected president

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  • benjsbenjs Toronto, ON Posts: 8,929
    brianlux said:
    Jason P said:
    Smellyman said:
    Jason P said:
    Her supporters: "Yea!  Take em' down!"  Her supporters after she is elected and achieves this promise: "Holy shit ... 2 day shipping is $17.99!!!!  And Twitter and Instatgram no longer work!  WHAT HAVE WE DONE!!!!"
    How will more competition cause a price increase?
    Average phone bills went up after Ma Bell was broken up.  You can breakup the top dogs, but hungrier sharks are circling waiting to take advantage.  And outside of Google, nobody is forced to use Amazon or Facebook.  I've never used Facebook.  I'm using Amazon less because I'm concerned with the chance of counterfeit products, suspect reviews and I have not been happy with their shift to pushing subscription based consumerism.  But I can't deny that if it wasn't for Amazon it wouldn't be easy to cut back on Amazon.  There are now better web-based shops that can compete with rates and low-to-no shipping cost but it wouldn't have been possible without Amazon forcing competition.  If Amazon goes down, price of good and shipping will go up ... it's my opinion but I think it is a realistic outcome. 

    Google on the other hand is pretty hard to avoid unless you go off the grid.
    You're probably aware of the other problems with Amazon, Jason, but I think they are worth noting:  The fact that they have to power to dodge the taxes other retailers must pay, the fact that they basically run sweatshops (poor treatment of employees), and the fact that Bezos has made it a personal (and I can only imagine a vindictive and mean spirited) goal to shut down all other bookstores.  I have a life-time boycott of them and all their subsidiaries.  Minuscule though it may be, that's my little contribution to breaking up a major powers.
    Brian, I just want to say - these are problems which I feel should be resolved by the government. Laws are about how humans are legally permitted to conduct themselves (especially in interpersonal affairs), and regulations are there to speak to how businesses are permitted to conduct themselves. Not that I really have any faith in any governing bodies, be they corporations, people, or governments, I think it's a pretty unrealistic expectation for a company to self-regulate fairly.

    On the bookstore front, I feel for you. Bezos saw how he could create an easy and affordable distribution channel for content, and designed a great and affordable device to house all your books on (for chronic jugglers like me, that's why I love eReaders). He also solved usability challenges with reading by including a backlight. 

    Disrupters will continue to disrupt; all we can do is adapt or be disrupters. I respect trying to slay the beast though :) 
    '05 - TO, '06 - TO 1, '08 - NYC 1 & 2, '09 - TO, Chi 1 & 2, '10 - Buffalo, NYC 1 & 2, '11 - TO 1 & 2, Hamilton, '13 - Buffalo, Brooklyn 1 & 2, '15 - Global Citizen, '16 - TO 1 & 2, Chi 2

    EV
    Toronto Film Festival 9/11/2007, '08 - Toronto 1 & 2, '09 - Albany 1, '11 - Chicago 1
  • brianluxbrianlux Moving through All Kinds of Terrain. Posts: 40,593
    brianlux said:
    Jason P said:
    Smellyman said:
    Jason P said:
    Her supporters: "Yea!  Take em' down!"  Her supporters after she is elected and achieves this promise: "Holy shit ... 2 day shipping is $17.99!!!!  And Twitter and Instatgram no longer work!  WHAT HAVE WE DONE!!!!"
    How will more competition cause a price increase?
    Average phone bills went up after Ma Bell was broken up.  You can breakup the top dogs, but hungrier sharks are circling waiting to take advantage.  And outside of Google, nobody is forced to use Amazon or Facebook.  I've never used Facebook.  I'm using Amazon less because I'm concerned with the chance of counterfeit products, suspect reviews and I have not been happy with their shift to pushing subscription based consumerism.  But I can't deny that if it wasn't for Amazon it wouldn't be easy to cut back on Amazon.  There are now better web-based shops that can compete with rates and low-to-no shipping cost but it wouldn't have been possible without Amazon forcing competition.  If Amazon goes down, price of good and shipping will go up ... it's my opinion but I think it is a realistic outcome. 

    Google on the other hand is pretty hard to avoid unless you go off the grid.
    You're probably aware of the other problems with Amazon, Jason, but I think they are worth noting:  The fact that they have to power to dodge the taxes other retailers must pay, the fact that they basically run sweatshops (poor treatment of employees), and the fact that Bezos has made it a personal (and I can only imagine a vindictive and mean spirited) goal to shut down all other bookstores.  I have a life-time boycott of them and all their subsidiaries.  Minuscule though it may be, that's my little contribution to breaking up a major powers.
    Sweatshops? I’ve read some of the reports, which are disputed by the way. There have been a few concerning piece that would be awful but I’m not sure sweatshops is accurate.

    Oh come, you know I never exaggerate.

    Well, Ok, maybe just a tiny bit, haha!  Good call. 

    Still wouldn't want to work for those slave drivers with their whips and shackles!


    “The fear of death follows from the fear of life. A man [or woman] who lives fully is prepared to die at any time.”
    Variously credited to Mark Twain or Edward Abbey.













  • cincybearcatcincybearcat Posts: 16,072
    brianlux said:
    brianlux said:
    Jason P said:
    Smellyman said:
    Jason P said:
    Her supporters: "Yea!  Take em' down!"  Her supporters after she is elected and achieves this promise: "Holy shit ... 2 day shipping is $17.99!!!!  And Twitter and Instatgram no longer work!  WHAT HAVE WE DONE!!!!"
    How will more competition cause a price increase?
    Average phone bills went up after Ma Bell was broken up.  You can breakup the top dogs, but hungrier sharks are circling waiting to take advantage.  And outside of Google, nobody is forced to use Amazon or Facebook.  I've never used Facebook.  I'm using Amazon less because I'm concerned with the chance of counterfeit products, suspect reviews and I have not been happy with their shift to pushing subscription based consumerism.  But I can't deny that if it wasn't for Amazon it wouldn't be easy to cut back on Amazon.  There are now better web-based shops that can compete with rates and low-to-no shipping cost but it wouldn't have been possible without Amazon forcing competition.  If Amazon goes down, price of good and shipping will go up ... it's my opinion but I think it is a realistic outcome. 

    Google on the other hand is pretty hard to avoid unless you go off the grid.
    You're probably aware of the other problems with Amazon, Jason, but I think they are worth noting:  The fact that they have to power to dodge the taxes other retailers must pay, the fact that they basically run sweatshops (poor treatment of employees), and the fact that Bezos has made it a personal (and I can only imagine a vindictive and mean spirited) goal to shut down all other bookstores.  I have a life-time boycott of them and all their subsidiaries.  Minuscule though it may be, that's my little contribution to breaking up a major powers.
    Sweatshops? I’ve read some of the reports, which are disputed by the way. There have been a few concerning piece that would be awful but I’m not sure sweatshops is accurate.

    Oh come, you know I never exaggerate.

    Well, Ok, maybe just a tiny bit, haha!  Good call. 

    Still wouldn't want to work for those slave drivers with their whips and shackles!


    Ha hahaha!!!
    hippiemom = goodness
  • Meltdown99Meltdown99 None Of Your Business... Posts: 10,739
    This is why politicians suck.  She can not achieve this without a heck of a fight and many lawyers involved.  My money would be on the lawyers the 3 corporations would hire...

    I love Amazon, I have no attention to ever stop using it.  Online shopping is great.  Going in and out of retails stores shopping is a waste of my time.
    Give Peas A Chance…
  • Meltdown99Meltdown99 None Of Your Business... Posts: 10,739
    That fancy phone, computer or TV made in China was assembled by sweatshops.  
    Give Peas A Chance…
  • riley540riley540 Denver Colorado Posts: 1,128
    tbergs said:
    riley540 said:
    She’s an idiot. Out of touch. Big government power sucks ass and nobody wants it 
    Ok, what's the balance then, since you think her statement means too much government control? I don't think the continued monopolitization of a few large companies is going to do any good unless you're the wealthy elite.

    Also, isn't it a bit hypocritical of a Trump supporter to call someone else an idiot and out of touch? How is Trump helping bridge the gap or do anything besides secure his own wealth? He's nothing but a con artist and a crook, but God (you know, the one from an official Trump signed bible) forbid you or any of the other minions care about that shit.
    I’m not a trump supporter? 
  • riley540riley540 Denver Colorado Posts: 1,128
    njnancy said:
    riley540 said:
    She’s an idiot. Out of touch. Big government power sucks ass and nobody wants it 
    So then you are fine with not receiving any Social Security or Medicare when you retire. Those are programs that are about as big government and socialist (yes socialist) as you can get. So if you really are passionate about your statement, you will opt out of that I'm sure. 
    Social security is going to collapse reguardless. I’d rather have the opportunity to save and invest that money on my own terms to retire how I seem fit. The government isn’t good at much. Shut down social security sooner than later I say 
  • riley540riley540 Denver Colorado Posts: 1,128
    I think most politicians are out of touch morons. Warren is just another to add to the list. 

    I hate big government. Period. I think that’s an ok opinion. Both parties are power hungry and I hate it. 

    People don’t trust powerful companies.. I just don’t trust the one thing more powerful which is government. 
  • Spiritual_ChaosSpiritual_Chaos Posts: 28,867
    riley540 said:
    I think most politicians are out of touch morons. Warren is just another to add to the list. 

    I hate big government. Period. I think that’s an ok opinion. Both parties are power hungry and I hate it. 

    People don’t trust powerful companies.. I just don’t trust the one thing more powerful which is government. 
    You sound angry.
    "Mostly I think that people react sensitively because they know you’ve got a point"
  • benjsbenjs Toronto, ON Posts: 8,929
    riley540 said:
    I think most politicians are out of touch morons. Warren is just another to add to the list. 

    I hate big government. Period. I think that’s an ok opinion. Both parties are power hungry and I hate it. 

    People don’t trust powerful companies.. I just don’t trust the one thing more powerful which is government. 
    Bear in mind, you say the government is more powerful, but the government often governs by the largest payoffs by corporations, so it seems to me it's more of a syndicate. With such an alliance between these groups, lobbies and politicians will just continue to focus on passing bills and establishing regulations with strong public-facing optics and stronger profitability. Absent from those considerations are the humans downstream (employees and consumers alike). I don't think the back-and-forth debate over corporate or government control matters all that much at the end of the day until this reality is changed.

    I also think even if I'm just totally cynical and this cooperative behaviour isn't actually what's happening, then I'd look at basic human nature. In the absence of a threat to accumulating power, we usually try. In that case, if two entities with competing goals exist, one's retreat will lead to the other taking power. At this point, I honestly don't know which head of the chimera is worst. 
    '05 - TO, '06 - TO 1, '08 - NYC 1 & 2, '09 - TO, Chi 1 & 2, '10 - Buffalo, NYC 1 & 2, '11 - TO 1 & 2, Hamilton, '13 - Buffalo, Brooklyn 1 & 2, '15 - Global Citizen, '16 - TO 1 & 2, Chi 2

    EV
    Toronto Film Festival 9/11/2007, '08 - Toronto 1 & 2, '09 - Albany 1, '11 - Chicago 1
  • josevolutionjosevolution Posts: 28,258
    riley540 said:
    njnancy said:
    riley540 said:
    She’s an idiot. Out of touch. Big government power sucks ass and nobody wants it 
    So then you are fine with not receiving any Social Security or Medicare when you retire. Those are programs that are about as big government and socialist (yes socialist) as you can get. So if you really are passionate about your statement, you will opt out of that I'm sure. 
    Social security is going to collapse reguardless. I’d rather have the opportunity to save and invest that money on my own terms to retire how I seem fit. The government isn’t good at much. Shut down social security sooner than later I say 
    Who’s paying for your health care you ? 
    jesus greets me looks just like me ....
  • brianluxbrianlux Moving through All Kinds of Terrain. Posts: 40,593
    benjs said:
    riley540 said:
    I think most politicians are out of touch morons. Warren is just another to add to the list. 

    I hate big government. Period. I think that’s an ok opinion. Both parties are power hungry and I hate it. 

    People don’t trust powerful companies.. I just don’t trust the one thing more powerful which is government. 
    Bear in mind, you say the government is more powerful, but the government often governs by the largest payoffs by corporations, so it seems to me it's more of a syndicate. With such an alliance between these groups, lobbies and politicians will just continue to focus on passing bills and establishing regulations with strong public-facing optics and stronger profitability. Absent from those considerations are the humans downstream (employees and consumers alike). I don't think the back-and-forth debate over corporate or government control matters all that much at the end of the day until this reality is changed.

    I also think even if I'm just totally cynical and this cooperative behaviour isn't actually what's happening, then I'd look at basic human nature. In the absence of a threat to accumulating power, we usually try. In that case, if two entities with competing goals exist, one's retreat will lead to the other taking power. At this point, I honestly don't know which head of the chimera is worst. 
    Exactly!  Our government was intended to be, as Lincoln's words stated,  "government of the people [that is, government that is made up of people who come from the people], by the people, for the people".  But no, now instead we have government "of big corporations, by big corporations, for big corporations".  That being the case, maybe I should agree with Riley and not trust big government as it exists today.

    “The fear of death follows from the fear of life. A man [or woman] who lives fully is prepared to die at any time.”
    Variously credited to Mark Twain or Edward Abbey.













  • benjsbenjs Toronto, ON Posts: 8,929
    brianlux said:
    benjs said:
    riley540 said:
    I think most politicians are out of touch morons. Warren is just another to add to the list. 

    I hate big government. Period. I think that’s an ok opinion. Both parties are power hungry and I hate it. 

    People don’t trust powerful companies.. I just don’t trust the one thing more powerful which is government. 
    Bear in mind, you say the government is more powerful, but the government often governs by the largest payoffs by corporations, so it seems to me it's more of a syndicate. With such an alliance between these groups, lobbies and politicians will just continue to focus on passing bills and establishing regulations with strong public-facing optics and stronger profitability. Absent from those considerations are the humans downstream (employees and consumers alike). I don't think the back-and-forth debate over corporate or government control matters all that much at the end of the day until this reality is changed.

    I also think even if I'm just totally cynical and this cooperative behaviour isn't actually what's happening, then I'd look at basic human nature. In the absence of a threat to accumulating power, we usually try. In that case, if two entities with competing goals exist, one's retreat will lead to the other taking power. At this point, I honestly don't know which head of the chimera is worst. 
    Exactly!  Our government was intended to be, as Lincoln's words stated,  "government of the people [that is, government that is made up of people who come from the people], by the people, for the people".  But no, now instead we have government "of big corporations, by big corporations, for big corporations".  That being the case, maybe I should agree with Riley and not trust big government as it exists today.

    And my point was just - trust who you want to trust, but whether it comes from politicians, or from the corporations - you know the alliance they serve! Except similar results either way until these ties are severed. I hope morality infiltrates both politics and business eventually though :) 
    '05 - TO, '06 - TO 1, '08 - NYC 1 & 2, '09 - TO, Chi 1 & 2, '10 - Buffalo, NYC 1 & 2, '11 - TO 1 & 2, Hamilton, '13 - Buffalo, Brooklyn 1 & 2, '15 - Global Citizen, '16 - TO 1 & 2, Chi 2

    EV
    Toronto Film Festival 9/11/2007, '08 - Toronto 1 & 2, '09 - Albany 1, '11 - Chicago 1
  • josevolutionjosevolution Posts: 28,258
    brianlux said:
    benjs said:
    riley540 said:
    I think most politicians are out of touch morons. Warren is just another to add to the list. 

    I hate big government. Period. I think that’s an ok opinion. Both parties are power hungry and I hate it. 

    People don’t trust powerful companies.. I just don’t trust the one thing more powerful which is government. 
    Bear in mind, you say the government is more powerful, but the government often governs by the largest payoffs by corporations, so it seems to me it's more of a syndicate. With such an alliance between these groups, lobbies and politicians will just continue to focus on passing bills and establishing regulations with strong public-facing optics and stronger profitability. Absent from those considerations are the humans downstream (employees and consumers alike). I don't think the back-and-forth debate over corporate or government control matters all that much at the end of the day until this reality is changed.

    I also think even if I'm just totally cynical and this cooperative behaviour isn't actually what's happening, then I'd look at basic human nature. In the absence of a threat to accumulating power, we usually try. In that case, if two entities with competing goals exist, one's retreat will lead to the other taking power. At this point, I honestly don't know which head of the chimera is worst. 
    Exactly!  Our government was intended to be, as Lincoln's words stated,  "government of the people [that is, government that is made up of people who come from the people], by the people, for the people".  But no, now instead we have government "of big corporations, by big corporations, for big corporations".  That being the case, maybe I should agree with Riley and not trust big government as it exists today.

    I believe it’s too late to turn back the clock on this issue , corporations are here to stay maybe they can be curved but to disband them is unrealistic in mi opinion..
    jesus greets me looks just like me ....
  • brianluxbrianlux Moving through All Kinds of Terrain. Posts: 40,593
    edited March 2019
    brianlux said:
    benjs said:
    riley540 said:
    I think most politicians are out of touch morons. Warren is just another to add to the list. 

    I hate big government. Period. I think that’s an ok opinion. Both parties are power hungry and I hate it. 

    People don’t trust powerful companies.. I just don’t trust the one thing more powerful which is government. 
    Bear in mind, you say the government is more powerful, but the government often governs by the largest payoffs by corporations, so it seems to me it's more of a syndicate. With such an alliance between these groups, lobbies and politicians will just continue to focus on passing bills and establishing regulations with strong public-facing optics and stronger profitability. Absent from those considerations are the humans downstream (employees and consumers alike). I don't think the back-and-forth debate over corporate or government control matters all that much at the end of the day until this reality is changed.

    I also think even if I'm just totally cynical and this cooperative behaviour isn't actually what's happening, then I'd look at basic human nature. In the absence of a threat to accumulating power, we usually try. In that case, if two entities with competing goals exist, one's retreat will lead to the other taking power. At this point, I honestly don't know which head of the chimera is worst. 
    Exactly!  Our government was intended to be, as Lincoln's words stated,  "government of the people [that is, government that is made up of people who come from the people], by the people, for the people".  But no, now instead we have government "of big corporations, by big corporations, for big corporations".  That being the case, maybe I should agree with Riley and not trust big government as it exists today.

    I believe it’s too late to turn back the clock on this issue , corporations are here to stay maybe they can be curved but to disband them is unrealistic in mi opinion..
    Very true also.  For now.  But "too big to fail" eventually has it's drawbacks. 

    And besides that, I often argue for an idealist, perhaps unobtainable goal with the hopes that we can at least draw closer to that idealism.
    Post edited by brianlux on
    “The fear of death follows from the fear of life. A man [or woman] who lives fully is prepared to die at any time.”
    Variously credited to Mark Twain or Edward Abbey.













  • josevolutionjosevolution Posts: 28,258
    brianlux said:
    brianlux said:
    benjs said:
    riley540 said:
    I think most politicians are out of touch morons. Warren is just another to add to the list. 

    I hate big government. Period. I think that’s an ok opinion. Both parties are power hungry and I hate it. 

    People don’t trust powerful companies.. I just don’t trust the one thing more powerful which is government. 
    Bear in mind, you say the government is more powerful, but the government often governs by the largest payoffs by corporations, so it seems to me it's more of a syndicate. With such an alliance between these groups, lobbies and politicians will just continue to focus on passing bills and establishing regulations with strong public-facing optics and stronger profitability. Absent from those considerations are the humans downstream (employees and consumers alike). I don't think the back-and-forth debate over corporate or government control matters all that much at the end of the day until this reality is changed.

    I also think even if I'm just totally cynical and this cooperative behaviour isn't actually what's happening, then I'd look at basic human nature. In the absence of a threat to accumulating power, we usually try. In that case, if two entities with competing goals exist, one's retreat will lead to the other taking power. At this point, I honestly don't know which head of the chimera is worst. 
    Exactly!  Our government was intended to be, as Lincoln's words stated,  "government of the people [that is, government that is made up of people who come from the people], by the people, for the people".  But no, now instead we have government "of big corporations, by big corporations, for big corporations".  That being the case, maybe I should agree with Riley and not trust big government as it exists today.

    I believe it’s too late to turn back the clock on this issue , corporations are here to stay maybe they can be curved but to disband them is unrealistic in mi opinion..
    Very true also.  For now.  But "too big to fail" eventually has it's drawbacks. 
    Yes everything has its braking point under said weight 
    jesus greets me looks just like me ....
  • brianluxbrianlux Moving through All Kinds of Terrain. Posts: 40,593
    brianlux said:
    brianlux said:
    benjs said:
    riley540 said:
    I think most politicians are out of touch morons. Warren is just another to add to the list. 

    I hate big government. Period. I think that’s an ok opinion. Both parties are power hungry and I hate it. 

    People don’t trust powerful companies.. I just don’t trust the one thing more powerful which is government. 
    Bear in mind, you say the government is more powerful, but the government often governs by the largest payoffs by corporations, so it seems to me it's more of a syndicate. With such an alliance between these groups, lobbies and politicians will just continue to focus on passing bills and establishing regulations with strong public-facing optics and stronger profitability. Absent from those considerations are the humans downstream (employees and consumers alike). I don't think the back-and-forth debate over corporate or government control matters all that much at the end of the day until this reality is changed.

    I also think even if I'm just totally cynical and this cooperative behaviour isn't actually what's happening, then I'd look at basic human nature. In the absence of a threat to accumulating power, we usually try. In that case, if two entities with competing goals exist, one's retreat will lead to the other taking power. At this point, I honestly don't know which head of the chimera is worst. 
    Exactly!  Our government was intended to be, as Lincoln's words stated,  "government of the people [that is, government that is made up of people who come from the people], by the people, for the people".  But no, now instead we have government "of big corporations, by big corporations, for big corporations".  That being the case, maybe I should agree with Riley and not trust big government as it exists today.

    I believe it’s too late to turn back the clock on this issue , corporations are here to stay maybe they can be curved but to disband them is unrealistic in mi opinion..
    Very true also.  For now.  But "too big to fail" eventually has it's drawbacks. 
    Yes everything has its braking point under said weight 
    Definitely so.
    “The fear of death follows from the fear of life. A man [or woman] who lives fully is prepared to die at any time.”
    Variously credited to Mark Twain or Edward Abbey.













  • PJ_SoulPJ_Soul Vancouver, BC Posts: 49,473
    Yes... well capitalism in general falls under that weight. A system that demands constant and endless growth is doomed to fail eventually. It just is not sustainable.
    With all its sham, drudgery, and broken dreams, it is still a beautiful world. Be careful. Strive to be happy. ~ Desiderata
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