Let’s Nationalize Amazon and Google: Publicly Funded Technology Built Big Tech

[xchrom]

http://www.alternet.org/corporate-accountability-and-workplace/lets-nationalize-amazon-and-google-publicly-funded-technology

They’re huge, they’re ruthless, and they touch every aspect of our daily lives. Corporations like Amazon and Google keep expanding their reach and their power. Despite a history of abuses, so far the Justice Department has declined to take antitrust actions against them. But there’s another solution.

Is it time to manage and regulate these companies as public utilities?

That argument’s already been made about broadband access. In her book “Captive Justice,” law professor Susan Crawford argues that “high-speed wired Internet access is as basic to innovation, economic growth, social communication, and the country’s competitiveness as electricity was a century ago.”

Broadband as a public utility? If not for corporate corruption of our political process, that would seem like an obvious solution. Instead, our nation’s wireless access is the slowest and costliest in the world.

[Erich Bloodaxe BSN]

1. I'm having a hard time seeing it.

Certainly not in the case of Amazon, although I'm beginning to think anti-monopoly issues are creeping in from some of the stats on them.

As for Google, I think they're abusing their position, but I don't see that they should be nationalized for it (And I was all for nationalizing the banks rather than simply bailing them out.), since quite frankly, at this point, I don't trust the government to do any better job at abusing such a position less.

What I do think needs changed is the patent system. Computer algorithms shouldn't be patentable. Or stupid ass things like 'one click shopping' or 'photographing things for sale against white backgrounds'. And technology-related patents should be far shorter.

As per the Constitution,

The Congress shall have power ... To promote the progress of science and useful arts, by securing for limited times to authors and inventors the exclusive right to their respective writings and discoveries;

LIMITED times, to PROMOTE the progress of science. Not to make corporations filthy rich by impeding science. Our current patent setup does not encourage science, it puts incredible roadblocks in the way of people wanting to build upon existing science and the technology surrounding it.

The problem lies not specifically in Amazon or Google, but in the patents that they have been able to grab hold of, and will keep for far too long.

[xchrom]

2. i don't think the article is serious -- but i do think

they're trying to be a gadfly -- and to get people to think about policy like monopolies.

[Erich Bloodaxe BSN]

3. I'd love to see more nationalizations, or at least public sector versions

of certain things. Our notion of 'National Security' is incredibly old-fashioned. The security of the nation is far more dependent on infrastructure these days, and natural disasters are far more of a threat than hordes of invaders. 'National Security' should encompass rebuilding crumbling transportation, ensuring safe water, repairing and updating energy and communications grids, and ensuring food supplies.

[brooklynite]

5. Bearing in mind that neither example is a monopoly.

[brooklynite]

4. Because America needs a Government-run shopping service?

[Reter]

6. Let's not and say we did

n/t

[WillowTree]

8. What Reter said.

[Throd]

10. Let's not and say we didn't.

[Adrahil]

7. ummmmm.... no. NT

[Nuclear Unicorn]

9. I hope this is satire but if it is it's inscrutable as to its ultimate point.

When I think of public utilities I think of things like water, sewer and electricity, things required to live in our society. I do NOT need Amazon or Google. In fact, I don't patronize the former by happenstance. I avoid the latter by choice. Where is the compelling interest that would justify nationalization?