One of the most important trends in America has been the rise of bigger and bigger corporations. Over the last twenty years, three quarters of industries have gotten more concentrated, largely through corporate mergers. When firms turn into mega-monopolies, wages go down, there's less innovation, customer service gets worse, and there are fewer and fewer small businesses.
Fortunately, the government is interested in ending the wave of mergers that is causing so much harm. And you can help!
Mergers and acquisitions are regulated by the Clayton Act, which is law written over one hundred years ago to protect Americans. The government recently announced that it is drafting new merger guidelines to enforce this law. Normally these kinds of guidelines are written by lobbyists and economists behind closed doors, but this time enforcers asked for comments from normal people, like workers, businesspeople, engineers, artists, consumers, farmers, or anyone else. That means you railroad worker!
Have you been through a merger? What was it like? Are mergers a good or bad idea in general? Do you think the government should be more aggressive in stopping mergers? Give policymakers a piece of your mind. After all, it's your government.
When you fill out the form on this page and click “next” your comment will be submitted to the Federal Trade Commission and the Justice Department Antitrust Division. You do not need to include your name and contact information if you feel uncomfortable doing so, but we encourage you to personalize your comment, and have included draft text you can adapt. The last day to submit a comment is April 21st.
For more information on the merger comment request from the FTC/DOJ, click HERE.
