General Discussion
In reply to the discussion: Why Cell Phones Went Dead After Hurricane Sandy - horrifying. [View all]NYC Liberal
(20,136 posts)or things that hurt customers because it would be "bad for business". But we've seen time and time again that just isn't true. This is just one example.
Sometimes there are no other companies to go to.
Sometimes it takes years before a company's malfeasance is discovered (dumping toxic chemicals into rivers and causing cancer 10-20 years down the road, for example -- too late).
Many times people don't have the time or the resources to go after a company. Libertarians also want "tort reform" and caps on damages that allow companies to just budget for their harmful practices. And companies are now including "no class actions" clauses in their contracts.
And if we got rid of all regulations, companies wouldn't hesitate to engage in practices like price fixing and collusion with other companies.
We need a fair market, not a "free" one.