During a merger of 2 giant companies, should there be a public vote? like paramount and warner merger happening in us?

Question

loveslongnails · Accepted Answer

There used to stricter laws governing the formation of monopolies, and the FTC and Anti-Trust section of the DOJ share responsibility for making sure that doesn't happen. However, under the fascist Scump regime, they don't operate as the unbiased, independent authorities they are supposed to be. Let's be clear, they haven't always in the past either, but under this current there's absolutely ZERO chance they do.

Putting it to a public vote on non-shareholders would require legislation making that a law for companies over a certain size, for example. The companies would surely argue saying the right to vote on things like that are extended only to shareholders, etc.

IF the FTC and DOJ were able to act with independent authority, AND they weren't being paid off by the companies they're supposed to regulate, you might not need any other governance. Is that really possible? Has it been? Hmm, only sometimes.

worldscolide · Accepted Answer

If there is a possible monopoly, id say yes. If not then no.

OlderAndWiser · Answer

Why should people who don't own any interest in either company have any vote on whether the merger should be allowed? Isn't that like your next-door neighbor deciding whether you can marry your fiancee?

abc3643 · Answer

There is a public vote... When you elect your representatives and president... Your elected officials determine the makeup of the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and the FTC decides about mergers. However, constitutionally, you have a right to express your grievances to the government (*). Thus, as part of that constitutional right, the FTC has a public comment period in which the public can send in their thoughts about any proposed merger and other regulations.  The FTC requests feedback from the public on proposed rulemakings, regulations, and updates, proposed settlements, modifications of existing orders, workshops, and other agency activities. Comments from the public help us learn about new technologies and business practices, consider diverse points of view, and improve the quality of our policy-making, law enforcement and education efforts. I believe that you can go here to submit such comments.  Right now, I believe any merger between Paramount and Warner Brothers Discovery is hypothetical. Once they officially submit a proposed merger to the FTC, then likely the public can comment about that proposed merger. FYI, these are the steps in the FTC's merger review process: ==================== (*) This is in the First Amendment: Amendment I Congress shall make no law  respecting an establishment of religion, or  prohibiting  the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or  the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances.

NaultD · Answer

Realistically there's too much going on. as much as i want everyday people to be informed voters and be invested in our society. Monopoly busting is too much for people.  We've all made fun of the mcdonald's hot coffee lady who burned her genitalia closed. that is ultimately what I'm worried about letting a public vote like this happen. There's so much room for buisness propaganda to be public vs in a court room hearing.

OneViewpoint · Answer

We have a regulatory body in the US to supposedly examine any M&A activity for anti-trust law violations, aka the creation of monopolies. It's the Federal Trade Commission along with the Department Of Justice.

But... those agencies are full of political appointees at their highest levels. So they can be corrupted by political agendas and partisan loyalties. Or bribes.

So yeah, putting those actions on a ballot for a public vote would be great. Except that M&A deals happen all the time when the economic timing is right and elections typically happen only once per year at the same time every year. So full time regulatory review and approval ends up being more practical than queuing up a bunch of huge transactions for approval once a year.

Anonymous · Answer

paramount and warner are merging to save themselves. Movie theatres are dying and traditional movie companies aren't getting the same box offices anymore. The new superman movie made the same more or less as man of steel from 2013, fine you might think until you remember that man of steel under performed and calculate inflation. You might reason that the movie didn't lose money and made a profit but for a movie company that small profit in their investment is a loss on money they could have made if theyd invested elsewhere

exitseven · Answer

This is why we need Teddy Roosevelt to come back. He would not allow a monopoly. Pretty soon there will only be one store (amazon) on bank (Bank of America) and one medial conglomerate.

Chazmatazz269 · Answer

No. You know you can vote with your wallet, right? If you don’t like a company’s policies and practices, then take your money elsewhere. Tell your family, friends, neighbors and coworkers what you’re doing and why. Share easy replacements for products and services.
We control our politicians through voting. We control our economy through spending, saving and sometimes withholding our money.

Static_In_The_Attic · Answer

It’s like if FedEX & UPS merge into one giant company called Fed UP, unless you are a stock holder in the company you have no say & the companies are privately owned so the public shouldn’t be able to vote.

zagor · Answer

There shouldn't be much government intervention.

Some years back (maybe 10?) the drug stores Rite Aid and Walgreen's were going to merge. Some idiots in the Obama administration nixed the merger as anti-competitive. Now the local Rite Aid closed and we have to go 3x as far to a pharmacy.

FreyaRed · Answer

They can merge like they want. Cancer + cancer = 2x cancer, some magical subtraction doesn't happen and problem of lack of creativity, money mismanagement and nepotism doesn't magically disappear.

Still-alive · Answer

If Lina Khan were still in office none of these mergers would be allowed to happen!

DJB72 · Answer

If they're private companies then no. Not automatically. In arts there's a bigger issue because you're dealing with the possibility of creating a massive echo chamber that censors material from one side or the other. That creates heightened division,

Dargil · Answer

These are private businesses and I don't think the public should have a say in it. The public can always vote with their wallets and feet. But there should be a review by government monitoring restraint of trade and monopolies.

AviatorTom · Answer

No. Business is business. There's no reason for a public vote. The elected representatives will weigh in on a merger if necessary.

MrChinaski · Answer

There are anti-trust laws (Sherman Act in the USA) that can block mergers or force demerging. The FTC only weakly enforces them.

RavVid · Answer

There is but only stockholders are qualified voters.

noohair · Answer

No, that is a form of socialism. People that own property have an absolute right to direct their own property in a legal fashion.

ABC1x1x · Answer

Absolutely not. They Government can reject it if it ia a monopoly. The only votes that matter are share holder votes.

joyce76 · Answer

Probably not a public vote, but definitely more oversight. Those mega-mergers can change a lot for everyone, even if we’re not directly involved.

OddBeMe · Answer

Monopoly laws should be enforced like they used to.

shortster · Answer

Will it create a monopoly? Yes, stopped outright; no, the stockholders should vote on it

Nice222 · Answer

A stock holder or bond holder vote maybe. But no public vote.

Anonymous · Answer

No, those companies are private property, not public.

chrissykerdock · Answer

that's why they do it to become stronger

Anpu23 · Answer

No, why would the public have any say?

SoccerPlayer99 · Answer

Smells like socialism.

DrPepper12 · Answer

No. An ftc & cfpb & a real review

snermcger · Answer

Public vote. LOL! The masses are asses.

NervousIndividual · Answer

Never thought about it.

slatyb · Answer

No, there shouldn't.

eagle1951 · Answer

good idea

jahaims · Answer

Nope...

dougeats · Answer

maybe yes

888theGreat · Answer

Gov't decides

Celticwolf78 · Answer

Most definitely

During a merger of 2 giant companies, should there be a public vote? like paramount and warner merger happening in us?

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