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Mises Economics Blog

Welfare for Antitrust Lawyers, Part Deux

August 26, 2006 12:49 PM by S.M. Oliva | Other posts by S.M. Oliva | Comments (5)

Last year, I blogged that nearly $500,000 in funds from a series of antitrust "settlements" with vitamin manufacturers was being used to finance pro-antitrust propaganda films for distribution in the government schools. The film, "Fair Fight in the Marketplace," has now been released. The film's website contains a section on "learning resources" composed almost entirely of anti-business cartoons from the late 19th century. No discussion of economics or criticism of antitrust, however. That would obviously detract from the film's "educational" value.

I'd love to produce a film on the evils of antitrust, but alas, unlike the makers of "Fair Fight in the Markeplace," I'm unwilling to conspire with the antitrust bar to steal the money to finance production. (Incidentally, the organization behind this film once threatened to sue me for criticizing their "fundraising" methods.)

Comments (5)

  • Daryl Cobranchi

  • What fun is intelligent and civil?

    So, since they threatened to sue you for criticizing their "fundraising" methods, a threat is sure to follow for using the scare quotes.

    Oops, I did it too.

  • Published: August 26, 2006 2:44 PM

  • David C

  • The pharmacutical industries, wanting to extract more money from their government imposed patent monopolies, have been putting heavy pressure on the government and the FDA to regulate the vitiman, and natural health care industry out of existence. It seems to me like that is just another part of that quest.

  • Published: August 26, 2006 8:03 PM

  • Jon Rogers

  • Is there such a thing as a documentary filmmaker without a political agenda?

    That said, I wouldn't condemn their efforts quite yet. Pretty much everything in that "learning resources" section is under construction. They might yet include half of a lesson plan on why monopolies might arise in a healthy market.

  • Published: August 27, 2006 12:06 AM

  • Ryan Fuller

  • It's never too early to condemn an organization based around the systematic reinforcement of passive stupidity. You think they might include something worth knowing? I highly doubt it.

  • Published: August 27, 2006 1:53 AM

  • GH

  • I am a producer and would gladly work on a documentary showing the 'other' side of anti-trust, how its anti-freedom.

    humanaction@comcast.net

  • Published: August 27, 2006 10:00 AM

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