reasons we're experiencing inflation right now is that industry consolidation (along with the obvious disruptions of the supply chain and tariffs) doesn't really give some companies the incentive to lower prices. I would argue that even prior to our current inflationary cycle these consolidations made us pay more than we would in a truly free market. I mean, I'm aware of the efficiencies one can get from larger companies sometimes, and the argument that sometimes oligopolies or monopolies can grow organically because some people run their businesses better than others.

But let's not kid ourselves; the excesses of the private trusts in the late 19th and early 20th century was the reason for antitrust legislation in the first place. There has to be legislation to ensure market competition. I think the government has pretty much abdicated this role over the last 30 years at least. That also is intentional. ALEC and the Federalist Society are both active on this front.