This may be true, but my argument isn't that there may be minority of competent (some did build the company themselves, for example). My argument is the premise that *all* or even *most* of them got to where they are by being good is demonstrably false.

This is a false premise. It is just as likely that they have gotten where they are by social acumen, and have no idea what they are doing.

Social stigma exists to keep bad behavior in check. Also, there is nothing wrong with messenger bags or satchels. If you are scared to wear Google googles because someone might make fun of you, you probably shouldn't wear them.

What if by cutting X, you increase the costs of Z. In case there is confusion, Z is unemployment.

The new seasons are worth it just for the evolution episode.

Most users are probably content to switch to iPads or competing tablets.

For telcos there aren't low barriers to entry, easy ability to switch providers, or perfect information. Without these, there can be no free-market. If wireless were completely deregulated, there would be no more industry because each company needs the FCC to prevent competitors from jamming their frequencies.

This would be a smart thing to do, but the companies that own the existing hegemony have very successfully blocked local communities from laying down fiber through lobbying.

Anti-trust regulations are no longer being enforced. Haven't you received the memo? Regulations kill jobs.

Running a PR story as news is low hanging fruit for the lazy reporter. The sponsor company probably wrote the whole piece themselves.

Maybe Slashdot has finally shrank to the point where it is no longer worth trolling.

This is a bill, not a law. It needs to get enacted according to the state's constitution first before it becomes illegal. Even if enacted, it can probably get challenged if it infringes on the freedom of press. IANAL.

So you are making the argument that making war cheaper and easier to launch will result in more peace and prosperity? It's so bad already that we don't even count civilian casualties accurately.

Surely the free-market will find some private enterprise replacement for publicly funded highways without raising a new tax!

Babelfish for international business (real-time subtitles). Also sub-titles for the deaf.