[Am-info] How a Monopoly is Created and Maintained

[Doug Henning]

This is from http://www.moneynews.com
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1. Microsoft: Lining Wallets of Politicians?

Microsoft's lobbying efforts in Washington, D.C., have left several
industry insiders wondering if the software giant is
attempting to undermine law enforcement efforts.

Fortune Magazine reports Microsoft may not be able to gain ground in any
anti-trust legal snafu, but its efforts to beef up its
lobbying staff and make nice with lawmakers have increased ten-fold.

The company donated more than $4.6 million to federal candidates and
parties, both Republicans and Democrats, in the 2000
election - more money than any other company but AT&T and more than twice
the amount that its biggest rival, AOL.

More on the donation front - Microsoft also gave $36.6 milllion in cash and
$179 million worth of software to a variety of
charities in D.C. associated with politicians such as Senator Hillary
Clinton and House Speaker Dennis Hastert. In fact, House
Majority Leader Dick Armey was so confused by technical jargon that
Microsoft launched a Capitol Hill campaign to have
technical experts teach lawmakers the ins and outs of technology.

Microsoft conducts brown-bag lunches for Congress' 178-member Internet
Caucus and hosts 200 lawmakers, aides, scholars
and presidential wannabes at its headquarters, according to Fortune.

It appears Microsoft's efforts are working. Lawmakers concerned with online
privacy invasions threatened legal action to
solve the problem on behalf of computer users. Microsoft stepped up its
government affairs division and helped politicians
translate computer jargon into plain English. The company's computer
translators worked with politicians and software
engineers. The end result? No legal action and a new Microsoft product with
better privacy control for computer users.

Industry insiders say Microsoft's lobbying attempts undermine law
enforcement efforts and borders on obstruction of justice.
The software giant refutes the claim, stating its political donations and
lobbying are just parts of a traditional business formula.

Doug Henning
Sr. Network Analyst
CSC GIS/FSG Americas Division
512.275.5931 Desk
877.453.7116 pager
dhennin3@csc.com