Re: Frugal Ethics 101
Tina,
Such is the nature of utlities - they get "broken up", then get bought out and head towards monopolies and get broken up again. It's the nature of the beast.
And maybe SBC or Verizon will have to be broken up again - it's the final consequence of capitalism unfortunately. Smart leaders will "divest" and sell off companies to other companies to avoid this, rather than get bigger and bigger.
It brings up a whole other ethical dilemma - if I own all the gas stations in the US (or other utililty), do I have the ethical right to charge what I want? I worked hard to bring it to you, I own the gas, and am selling it to you - I should be able to charge what I want, right? Even if it is $5.00 above cost per gallon?
Apparently not. . .or so says the FTC. . .they seem to agree that companies do not necessarily have the same rights as the welfare of the individual or even the welfare of the public at large. One may say that is a basic obligation of the gov't - to insure fair trade and that no monopolies exist and free competition reigns.
I guess we are way drifting off topic. . .still interesting though.
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