Containing commercial power in a democracy is fundamental to our liberty. That's why I write about it. That's why this newsletter resonates so widely. Here's how you can help us take the next step.
I told myself I wasn't going to spend money on anything this month (cash is tight) but I instantly signed up for the annual membership. Your work is so important and I'm thrilled to be able to support it.
Wasn't the paid option there before? In any case, happy to sign on. I have long seen ordinary Americans as victims of the massive corporate entities and super-wealthy individuals that dominate our economy and politics. Your work is providing me with a framework to help me recognize and understand better how exactly that victimization works. Thanks for your efforts. And thanks for this post, which finally prodded me to do what I should have done while ago - sign on as a paid subscriber. My media budget is not massive, but I can and should do my bit.
As an American, it has always surprised me what things my fellow citizens of all political leanings will consider "a big deal" and what things they don't care about; in my humble opinion too often we enjoy getting worked up over trivial bullshit while ignoring the issues that are very important and affect us on a daily basis.
I think Stoller tries to focus on many of the issues that we should be focusing on, but I also think it is our collective duty to help teach the economic history of the United States; things weren't always the way they are now, and with an understanding of our history, where we are, and where we are going, I have no other option than to believe we can make things better moving forward. Nothing will change unless people get informed, angry, and start demanding specific, targeted changes to the way things are.
OK, I did the founding member thing for $150. We're in another Gilded Age now, with the same sorts of Big Trusts that need breaking up. And the US version of state capitalism shouldn't be replaced by the Great Rest version of state capitalism, either. Regulatory agency capture is another big thing, it's how businesses become and remain monopolies, by writing regulations to shut out competition, and it's time that be brought to a halt. BTW, I oppose the Democratic Party as it now stands, it's the Oligarch Party - as are a lot of the Republicans. We need a comprehensive reformation of the law of corporations, starting out with corporate personhood and the many aspects of that which have deformed the Republic. And I could go on...
Very happy to sign on and support the excellent work you are doing. It is interesting for me to observe what I refuse to pay for (most of the magazine and newspaper subs I used to think were as essential as oxygen) and what I don’t hesitate to subscribe to (independent, honest, long form specialists with a clear set of values and a commitment to depth of thinking and analysis coupled with first class writing.) Keep up the great work, Matt.
Just subscribed, Matt. Been reading for a while, and it is beyond time I supported this excellent work. You mention it is lonely work, would you consider a higher tier for subscribers in exchange for occasional group zoom sessions to discuss topics of interest?
I find the newsletter very informative. Thank you for writing it! A genuine question: What guarantees can you give that given more funding and more staff, the "Big newsletter" will have more policy impact? (I am not disputing the Big newsletter's increased success as an infotainment product given more funding and staff)
Excited to be a subscriber Matt, I’m a sales person at largest custom apparel printer in the US. We are getting hit on both sides - from massive out of stock issues to strained capacity at our printer partners. Half my days are navigating through these issues and it’s good to connect here with the bigger picture.
Have soon a truly great success in your efforts !! We need you more than ever.
One of many favorites among your in-depth research and analyses:
Conservative FTC Commissioners are PROTECTING Facebook from any break-up... !!??!! This is truly outrageous -- almost unimaginable
Lina Khan Leads the Government's New Attempt to Break Up Facebook - by Matt Stoller - BIG by Matt Stoller (substack.com)
Republican Commissioners are PROTECTING Facebook from break-up !!??
The vote among the five commissioners at the Federal Trade Commission was 3-2, as both Republican Commissioners, Noah Phillips and Christine Wilson, voted against bringing it.
….”One major risk here is the Republican Party establishment. For a few years, populists made headway there; conservative legal titan Clarence Thomas came out against Google’s power, and Trump himself was able to bring antitrust suits against Google and Facebook (even though he was very good for big tech). But now, there’s a counter-attack, and libertarians like Jim Jordan, if they gain more power, will try to destroy the FTC as an institution in order to protect dominant firms, using culture war arguments as a shield. That battle, which is taking place on the right, continues.
In a sane world, the remarkable allegations in these complaints would be enough to have Zuckerberg put in jail and Facebook restructured. Instead, a fearful judge forced the FTC to do a bunch more homework before even being able to bring Facebook to trial. We do not have a coherent state that can govern in any meaningful way, and not just in America, but across the West. By contrast, the Chinese government made a decision to restructure its tech sector, and within two years, it has basically done that. That’s not because the Chinese government is authoritarian, but because Chinese leaders understand, as Americans and Europeans used to, what it means to have a state.”
I told myself I wasn't going to spend money on anything this month (cash is tight) but I instantly signed up for the annual membership. Your work is so important and I'm thrilled to be able to support it.
I learn something from each issue of your newsletter and share it with colleagues, friends, anyone! It's such important work, thank you.
Done. I’m fanatically stingy (thrifty? discerning?) about which newsletter or patreon podcaster I’ll support, and BIG is one of the five.
Subscribed! Thanks for the great work.
Wasn't the paid option there before? In any case, happy to sign on. I have long seen ordinary Americans as victims of the massive corporate entities and super-wealthy individuals that dominate our economy and politics. Your work is providing me with a framework to help me recognize and understand better how exactly that victimization works. Thanks for your efforts. And thanks for this post, which finally prodded me to do what I should have done while ago - sign on as a paid subscriber. My media budget is not massive, but I can and should do my bit.
I’m in for the year. Terrific stuff here, that makes it into a lot of conversations. Thanks, Matt.
This newsletter is absolutely worth it. I learn so much from this — it’s really opened my eyes to what’s really going on in our economy. Keep it up!
As an American, it has always surprised me what things my fellow citizens of all political leanings will consider "a big deal" and what things they don't care about; in my humble opinion too often we enjoy getting worked up over trivial bullshit while ignoring the issues that are very important and affect us on a daily basis.
I think Stoller tries to focus on many of the issues that we should be focusing on, but I also think it is our collective duty to help teach the economic history of the United States; things weren't always the way they are now, and with an understanding of our history, where we are, and where we are going, I have no other option than to believe we can make things better moving forward. Nothing will change unless people get informed, angry, and start demanding specific, targeted changes to the way things are.
OK, I did the founding member thing for $150. We're in another Gilded Age now, with the same sorts of Big Trusts that need breaking up. And the US version of state capitalism shouldn't be replaced by the Great Rest version of state capitalism, either. Regulatory agency capture is another big thing, it's how businesses become and remain monopolies, by writing regulations to shut out competition, and it's time that be brought to a halt. BTW, I oppose the Democratic Party as it now stands, it's the Oligarch Party - as are a lot of the Republicans. We need a comprehensive reformation of the law of corporations, starting out with corporate personhood and the many aspects of that which have deformed the Republic. And I could go on...
Very happy to sign on and support the excellent work you are doing. It is interesting for me to observe what I refuse to pay for (most of the magazine and newspaper subs I used to think were as essential as oxygen) and what I don’t hesitate to subscribe to (independent, honest, long form specialists with a clear set of values and a commitment to depth of thinking and analysis coupled with first class writing.) Keep up the great work, Matt.
Just subscribed, Matt. Been reading for a while, and it is beyond time I supported this excellent work. You mention it is lonely work, would you consider a higher tier for subscribers in exchange for occasional group zoom sessions to discuss topics of interest?
https://substack.com/profile/410307-antonio-garcia-martinez does this.
I find the newsletter very informative. Thank you for writing it! A genuine question: What guarantees can you give that given more funding and more staff, the "Big newsletter" will have more policy impact? (I am not disputing the Big newsletter's increased success as an infotainment product given more funding and staff)
Excited to be a subscriber Matt, I’m a sales person at largest custom apparel printer in the US. We are getting hit on both sides - from massive out of stock issues to strained capacity at our printer partners. Half my days are navigating through these issues and it’s good to connect here with the bigger picture.
Matt Stoller for president!!!
I’ll buy ten subscriptions when Stoller realises that Khan will do nothing. It’s fun seeing him getting all excited.
Have soon a truly great success in your efforts !! We need you more than ever.
One of many favorites among your in-depth research and analyses:
Conservative FTC Commissioners are PROTECTING Facebook from any break-up... !!??!! This is truly outrageous -- almost unimaginable
Lina Khan Leads the Government's New Attempt to Break Up Facebook - by Matt Stoller - BIG by Matt Stoller (substack.com)
Republican Commissioners are PROTECTING Facebook from break-up !!??
The vote among the five commissioners at the Federal Trade Commission was 3-2, as both Republican Commissioners, Noah Phillips and Christine Wilson, voted against bringing it.
….”One major risk here is the Republican Party establishment. For a few years, populists made headway there; conservative legal titan Clarence Thomas came out against Google’s power, and Trump himself was able to bring antitrust suits against Google and Facebook (even though he was very good for big tech). But now, there’s a counter-attack, and libertarians like Jim Jordan, if they gain more power, will try to destroy the FTC as an institution in order to protect dominant firms, using culture war arguments as a shield. That battle, which is taking place on the right, continues.
In a sane world, the remarkable allegations in these complaints would be enough to have Zuckerberg put in jail and Facebook restructured. Instead, a fearful judge forced the FTC to do a bunch more homework before even being able to bring Facebook to trial. We do not have a coherent state that can govern in any meaningful way, and not just in America, but across the West. By contrast, the Chinese government made a decision to restructure its tech sector, and within two years, it has basically done that. That’s not because the Chinese government is authoritarian, but because Chinese leaders understand, as Americans and Europeans used to, what it means to have a state.”