For fun, I would like to start a "fantasy" series of diaries with the title theme.
The topic of the first diary: Obama Becomes Trust-Buster-in-Chief
For details, follow me below the "Repug Spontaneous Combustion" cloud.
First of all, please don't parse my words in this piece. This is a Fantasy, People! Let me have my fun!
In my fantasy, I assume the President, may, on his own, apply the Sherman Anti-Trust Act to break up a monopoly. Perhaps a legal mind can make it clear whether this is possible. I know that Carter finished the work that Nixon started (can you believe that Tricky Dick actually busted a trust?!) to break up Ma Bell, but I don't know whether he did it through Presidential Executive Order.
Assuming he can do it (once again, this is Fantasy, people!), I can think of no better legacy for Obama to leave than to break up any monopolies headed by the 26 (I think?) donors on Bernie Sanders' list of conservative donors trying to buy our democracy. If someone could provide that link, I would appreciate it. Topping that list: The Koch Brothers' Empire, Shelden Adelson's gambling empire, Rupert Murdoch's publishing empire (the American part of it, anyway). (I would love to work with our Allies, the Brits, to cut down his Empire there as well; how much harm has that guy done this world? Think about it.).
Of course, while the Big O's at it, he might as well break up the big banks: Goldman-Saks, JP Morgan-Chase, Bank of America, and Wells Fargo (if I've missed one, please add it in a comment). (American) Big Oil: Exxon/Mobil, Shell, Chevron. Big Ag: Monsanto, Con-Agra. Big Radio: ClearChannel (no more continuous roll of just the biggest hits of 70's rock groups, thank you!). Big Telecomm: AT&T, Comcast, Time-Warner. Big Defense: Blackwater (or whatever name it runs under now)!!! Big Vulture Capitalism: Can you say Bain Capital?! I'm licking my chops just thinking about it. Big Education: Pick your favorite Charter School company. You can add your favorites to the list in your comments.
And, think of the benefits of all the trusts being busted (it's a huge domino effect):
Our economy would boom, because we would actually have competition in every market-place; there's that free-market capitalism Repugs tout, but actually squash by coddling the monopolies owned by their donors.
With no monopolies, we might be able to achieve close to full employment of able-bodied workers, because so many spots would open up in the myriad of competing companies.
With less unemployment, salaries would rise because of competition for talent.
With more competition in every market place, prices for good and services would be reduced.
The rise in salaries and lowering of prices would strengthen our middle class, and reduce poverty, hence reducing the need for government services. Also, government would have more revenue through taxation.
Speaking of government...with the downfall of these would-be oligarchs, our government might actually be able to act at the will of "We the People". Can you say "Infrastructure enhancements", "bullet trains", "free mass transportation", "free wifi for all", "scientific research grants", "expanded social security", "free childcare", "medicare for all", "free college", "no more world hunger" (can you blame me for getting giddy, thinking of the possibilities of our government no longer being run by corporations for corporations?)?
But, my favorite benefit would be the looks on Repug faces! Can't you just see Antonin Scalia's angry scowl? For causing that scowl, I would personally try to add Obama's face, ears and all, to Mount Rushmore! (Some great sculptor might want to step in at that point to save the great monument from my butchery).