31:23 Lena: Alright Miles, this has been eye-opening, but I'm sitting here thinking—this all sounds so massive and systemic. What can regular people actually do about corporate-government collusion and monopoly pricing? Because I don't want our listeners feeling helpless.
31:39 Miles: That's such an important question, and I think there are actually more opportunities for individual action than most people realize. The key is understanding that this system depends on public ignorance and political inaction.
31:52 Lena: So awareness and engagement are the first steps?
9:27 Miles: Absolutely. And let's start with something concrete—you can report suspected price-fixing and bid rigging. The Justice Department's Antitrust Division has a citizen complaint center specifically for this purpose. If you notice suspicious patterns in pricing or bidding, you can report them.
32:10 Lena: What kinds of patterns should people look for?
32:13 Miles: In bidding situations, watch for the same companies always winning particular contracts, or bid prices that seem much higher than they should be. In pricing, look for identical prices that stay the same for long periods, especially when they don't seem justified by costs.
32:28 Lena: And this applies to government contracts that regular citizens might observe?
32:32 Miles: Definitely. Local government contracts for construction, supplies, services—these are often public information, and citizens can request bidding documents. If you see suspicious patterns, report them. Many successful prosecutions have started with tips from ordinary people.
32:47 Lena: What about at the consumer level? Are there ways to avoid supporting these monopolistic practices?
32:53 Miles: Yes, though it requires some research. Support businesses that compete on merit rather than market power. Choose local and regional alternatives when they exist. And pay attention to corporate consolidation in your area—when big chains drive out local competitors, that's market concentration in action.
33:12 Lena: But sometimes there really aren't alternatives, right? Like with utilities or internet service.
33:18 Miles: True, and that's where political engagement becomes crucial. Local utility commissions, city councils, and state public service commissions make decisions about regulated monopolies. These are often low-turnout elections where individual voices can have outsized impact.
33:35 Lena: So people should actually show up to those boring local government meetings?
33:40 Miles: Exactly! And ask hard questions about procurement processes, regulatory decisions, and relationships between officials and the industries they oversee. Sunlight really is the best disinfectant for these cozy arrangements.
33:54 Lena: What about supporting specific policy changes? Are there organizations working on these issues?
9:27 Miles: Absolutely. Groups like the American Economic Liberties Project, the Open Markets Institute, and even some conservative organizations like the American Conservative Union are working on antitrust and competition policy. They need citizen support to counter corporate lobbying.
34:15 Lena: And there are specific legislative proposals people can support?
34:19 Miles: Yes. Contact your representatives about strengthening antitrust enforcement, reforming government procurement, and addressing regulatory capture. The specific bills change, but the principles remain consistent—more competition, less concentration, better enforcement.
34:35 Lena: What about at the state level? Because it seems like a lot of this happens through state and local government.
34:41 Miles: State action is huge. State attorneys general have brought many of the most successful price-fixing cases we discussed. Support AGs who prioritize antitrust enforcement. And push for state-level procurement reforms and transparency requirements.
34:55 Lena: Are there ways to use technology and information sharing to expose these practices?
32:32 Miles: Definitely. Social media and online platforms make it easier to share information about suspicious business practices. Document patterns you observe. Share information with others in your community. Create accountability through transparency.
35:15 Lena: What about the role of investigative journalism? Should people support outlets that do this kind of reporting?
35:21 Miles: Absolutely critical. Local journalism especially plays a huge role in exposing corruption and coordination at the local level. Subscribe to and support outlets that do real investigative work on business and government relationships.
35:35 Lena: And for people who work in these industries—government procurement, regulated industries, large corporations—are there ways they can make a difference from the inside?
35:44 Miles: Whistleblower protections exist for a reason. If you see coordination, bid rigging, or regulatory capture, there are legal protections for reporting it. And the financial incentives can be substantial—whistleblowers in successful cases often receive significant rewards.
36:00 Lena: What about long-term systemic change? How do we build political movements that can actually challenge these entrenched interests?
29:38 Miles: This is where the bipartisan potential we discussed becomes crucial. Frame these issues around shared values—fair competition, opportunity for small businesses, affordable prices for families. Don't let it get trapped in traditional left-right political boxes.
36:22 Lena: So build coalitions that include small business owners, rural communities, working families, and anyone else who's getting squeezed by monopolistic practices?
2:02 Miles: Exactly. And remember—the current system benefits a relatively small number of very large corporations and their political allies. Everyone else has skin in the game for reform.
36:43 Lena: Any final advice for people who want to get started but feel overwhelmed by the scale of the problem?
36:49 Miles: Start local. Pay attention to your community. Ask questions about government contracts and regulatory decisions. Support competitive businesses when you can. And remember that many of the biggest changes in antitrust enforcement started with ordinary citizens noticing something wasn't right and speaking up about it.