Antitrust No Cure-All For Economic Ills, FTC Chief Says
Share us on: By Melissa Lipman

Law360, New York (September 11, 2017, 6:41 PM EDT) -- Amid increasing calls for tougher antitrust enforcement to tackle concentrated industries, the Federal Trade Commission's Maureen Ohlhausen cautioned Monday that the Sherman Act is not the right tool to deal with income inequality.

After searching for a platform to appeal to voters on the losing end of rising income inequality, Democratic leaders called for a crackdown on market concentration as part of their "Better Deal" economic plan unveiled in July.

The line of thinking championed by high-profile lawmakers like Sens. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., and Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., calls for a more muscular approach to antitrust enforcement against mergers and monopolies.

But Ohlhausen, the acting FTC chairman, warned in a speech Monday in Washington, D.C., against trying to wield the antitrust laws too broadly, saying that they are "not a panacea."


Paywall
https://www.law360.com/employment/articles/962752/antitrust-no-cure-all-for-economic-ills-ftc-chief-says?nl_pk=73c3d610-6425-4f72-8045-d1b8bf05ced4&utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=employment

The article goes on to quote from the Acting FTC chairman that that they have to approach dealing with this issue of income inequality with more "humility". She believes in "Economic liberty and regulatory humility." Trump has yet to name the chairman and 3 empty seats on the commission for the FTC.

Looks like we have another great wedge issue to use against the Republicans!

instituting massive tax cuts in the face of massive hurricane recoveries?

Shouldn't tax cuts be discussed only when the economy is humming and government revenue is up?

I know it is all about Donors, but it is frustrating to see the need for tax cuts go unchallenged by the corrupt, advertising driven corporate media.

I took a webnar yesterday, but left my notes at the office. The biggest take-aways are:
1. Most of the deadlines are 60 days from the event/damage (filing claims with FEMA and the Small Business Administration (SBA);
2. Shortage of FEMA staff means they will give up to $20,000 without a visit. The attorneys emphasized taking pictures of everything before, during, and after. They said "document, document, document." FEMA will follow up later and expect to see the documentation and that the money was spent FOR WHAT IT WAS SUPPOSED TO BE SPENT FOR!
3. The FEMA cap is now $33,300 which includes any money or rent paid, anything you get;
4. The SBA is the biggest flood aid and does more than just small business loans. Disaster unemployment and food stamps too. Everyone should apply to them as well. Generally the less your income and worse your credit the lower your interest rate. Really good for self-employed and small business, but also employees;
5. Check your area's legal aid when you get denied. They said that FEMA frequently denies against the rules so "...all you do is site the correct rule and you win."

Wish I had more, but your State Bars of Florida and Texas will have this information on their websites.

Harvey will not die, anyone have Buffy the Vampire Slayer's number? Maybe the guy guy from Texas Chainsaw massacre?

The ditch behind my house has been my mortal enemy for three days. It comes up and threatens me and then runs away for awhile. It tries to sneak up when we go for some rest. I am beginning to hate it almost as much as Trump, and that says a lot! My two dogs are so pissed at me for not making this go away so they can go outside and play, I caught them trying to ask the Mooch to have some wise-guy to wack me!

Harvey can kiss my ass we ain't giving up. Thanks for the support DU. Now can someone please turn off the spigot?

grandfather their hurricane claim or it will fall under under a new more insurance company friendly law passed last Spring and signed by Republican Governor Greg Abbott. It limits the interest charged against the insurance company from when they should have paid the claim to when they finally do. From 18% to prime plus 5% (roughly 10%). It makes it next to impossible to file in state court so almost all will go into federal court which can get stuck in one court (MDL) and tied up. Also new notice requirements before you can file suit...

Lastly, please notify your representatives to make sure the National Flood Insurance Program gets reauthorized and properly funded next month. The Trump administration wanted to gut it and it is already $24 billion in the hole due to Katrina, Rita, Sandy and others.

Please tell your friends on FB and especially your friends affected in Texas!!!

Thank you Texas Republicans! (sarcasm)

I live in Beaumont where we have had one of the wettest Summers on record, especially the last mont. All of our rivers and creeks were full before Harvey. I have a large drainage ditch right behind my house that drains half of our town out to the bayous. It has never breached. As long as we get breaks in the rain it can catch up, but tonight and this morning has been non-stop heavy rain with no end in sight.

My 80 year old mom lives with me and is scared to death. I have flood and windstorm insurance which is great but doesn't replace all of her memories should this thing flood. My heart goes out to everyone in Houston, some of whom are friends and family. This will be a very long ordeal with the rest of the story yet to be written.

We will hang in there and get through whatever comes, I would just prefer not too much to come!

I am seeing them anytime the TV is on which is admittedly not much.

These ads talk about how America has the highest corporate tax of all nations with of course, no mention of the tax deductions and loopholes that make our BIG corporations pay one of the lowest net taxes in the world. It is why GE and many others, along with the super rich and their maze of trusts and corporations pay zero in taxes.

Is there any group that can counter some of these ads? The low information Americans are going to be calling their politicians to tell them what the Donors have already told them to do. We need to counter this by letting the Donors politicians know we understand the game and will punish them for this at the voting booth!

do you believe they have some massive leverage they are still holding over his head?

Will he have his Cronkite moment where Trump says "We've lost Hannity, we have lost the Presidency?" Or, will he ride Trump all the way down like Slim Pickins on the nuke?

Is Hannity a shrewd huckster who has parleyed far right and liberal doses of lies into a fortune, or is he an ideologue willing to lie, cheat and steal to spread his message? I hope he rides Trump all the way down, defending him every step of the way, his credibility with his own base evaporating!

Hope to see a lot of opinions.

The House Judiciary Committee will meet February 15th to amend and vote on the Fairness in Class Action Litigation Act and the Asbestos Transparency Act (think of the Clear Skies Act allowing more pollution).

Last week the Committee considered the Lawsuit Abuse Reduction Act and the Innocent Party Protection Act and voted them out of Committee. Today they voted the Stop Settlement Slush Funds Act out of Committee.

These 5 Tort reform bills will be ready to go to the House floor next week in what they are calling "Lawsuit Abuse" week. A hearing entitled "Lawsuit Reform" had to be canceled and will be rescheduled as the House was not in session.

They do not want you to be able to ever sue a corporation!!! These bills are designed to protect corporations, plain and simple. How many saw any of this on the MSM?

Here is a link to a website where comments can be filed:

https://www.regulations.gov/docket?D=USC-RULES-CV-2016-0004