MONOPOLIZING AMERICA

Colossal corporate monopolies are killing capitalist competition and wiping out consumer freedom.

Media company, Meredith Corporation, has just bought Time Inc., which publishes Time, Sports Illustrated and People magazines. A separate takeover battle involves two of the world’s largest semiconductor manufacturers - Broadcom is attempting a hostile takeover of Qualcomm, a fellow electronic chip maker, for $103 billion, which would make it the biggest tech deal ever. AT&T is in an $85.4 billion acquisition bid for Time Warner, the owner of CNN, HBO and Warner Bros. If approved by the Department of Justice, together, the two companies would create a giant internet, news and entertainment conglomerate.

Huge mergers and acquisitions like this one may seem far-removed from your everyday life, but they are chipping away at America’s competitive free market and eradicating consumer choices. And one of the most exciting small brewery scenes in the world is feeling the pressure from giant beer monopolies.