With the much of the northeast suffering a blackout in the past week, you'll probably see pro-regulation articles popping up left and right in the near future such as
http://www.northjersey.com/page.php...5eTY0MTQ2NzAmeXJpcnk3ZjcxN2Y3dnFlZUVFeXkxNA== (if the article doesn't pop up, go to column on the left and click Opinion and The Record, then click Opinion Columns to get the archive, Click "Why did it happen? Think Enron" )
Opinion articles are soooo onesided so before anyone says, hey that makes sense just remember:
Deregulation of the airlines back during the Carter administration resulted in more competition, cheaper fares, more flights, etc...
Wasn't AT&T regulated before being broken up into the baby bells, resulting in cheaper rates, more choices, etc...
Advocates never tell you about, if I remember correctly, the Chicago theory of regulation, that regulation while intended to protect the consumer in fact ends up hurting the consumer. Since regulators meet with the regulated industry so often and the average joe has no idea he has a say or has little time to participate in such matters, the regulated industry presents evidence that can sway regulators to go along with what the industry wants.
Deregulation provides competition and competitive prices, services, etc... Its going to be interesting to see if the blackout is a topic next year's presidential campaigns, well maybe not the blackout but the topic of deregulation and funding for the utility companies.
Power pirates and Enronites are not the norm in the market place, they will get caught and rooted out. Have a little faith in capitalism.