In many ways, D.C.’s treatment of the biggest businesses in any given industry mirrors its foreign policy. The foreign policy of the U.S. is one of fragile egotism, busybody-ism, and micromanagement: our government can’t just leave a regional power alone, it must have its tentacles firmly ensconced in its halls of power. So it extends offers of money, weapons, “aid”, influence over neighboring nations, all so the U.S. Empire can add another jewel to its gauntlet, and can sleep well knowing that it will be able to extract favors from this captive nation. The United States isn’t just the policeman of the world, it’s the world’s foremost corrupt cop, offering deals under the table while presenting itself as Virtue incarnate.
One thing this Empire can’t abide is a country that asserts its independence, and keeps the United States at arm’s length. The fragile Empire then behaves like a scorned lover, and nations such as Russia, Iran, and Venezuela become the new Axis of Evil. The scorned Empire sabotages these countries at every turn, utilizing every dirty trick short of war to get its revenge. Sanctions, endless provocation, cyber attacks, proxy war, intricate spy networks, the bullying of its captive nations into a refusal to deal with U.S. enemies. It’s a pathetic and reckless way for a government to behave, and one that isn’t sustainable.
And so it is with its dealings with industry. The federal government must firmly establish a well-oiled revolving door within every titan of industry, ensuring an indefinite quid pro quo situation. The company gets cushy government contracts in exchange for favors that the government will periodically call due, in Faustian style.
Just as in foreign policy, the one thing the federal government can’t abide is a company that refuses to deal. It will then unleash a similar bag of tricks on the target business until they fold or fall in line.
