Update: And it gets worse: KIDS!!!!
Petition (and see our visit to DC and DC Press Conference + Rally)
For a short time, something has had this nearly 25 year kidney dialysis advocate smiling - the face hurt since it hasn't found itself in that position much over this long span. But before the joy is revealed, it is worth mentioning one major problem in kidney dialysis is nephrologists have been kept in jobs at clinics they may have hated. Hated because these doctors have seen what is under the hood of the clinics run by monopolistic corporations and bean-counting top-management. Why don't they just leave you ask? Unfortunately, noncompete contracts have kept them locked down in a loathsome job - other employers aren't a consideration and innovation is stifled.
But then out of the blue comes a Joan of Arc from an unlikely place, DC! FTC Commissioner Lina Khan and her crew shot down these ridiculous contracts that should never have existed in the first place! A short read will tell you what it has done for kidney dialysis. But every story has a villain doesn't it? So we have coming from the dark, dank, and cobwebbed basements of modern academia where good ideas go to die, a sinister figure. A sinister figure who has the ability to overcome brilliance and blind opponents with bull shit. Someone looking like the Penguin from a Batman movie.
Billionaire Reid Hoffman has made a name for himself, and recently a lot of names have been hurled his way! This after he appeared on CNN which brought up his multi-million dollar to-me-sure-looks-like-a-bribe to Kamala Harris. And what is Reid looking for with his money? Only to get rid of the best FTC Commissioner since the New Deal, Lina Khan! From Reid's book Blitzscaling apparently this guy really loves monopolies! Monopolies have worked for Robber Barrons like Andrew Carnegie, Cornelius Vanderbilt, and John D. Rockefeller - why can't they be allowed to work for him? Us indentured servants are lucky to get the crumbs we do, so be grateful! His nerdy rear-end wants to get higher in the stratosphere, away from us bothersome earthlings. Hey, maybe he can catch a ride on SpaceX for a few more bucks.
Reading a bit of his bio it can be seen he has faced some tough choices in his life - where does he go, Stanford or Berkeley? If there is one fellow who CAN'T relate to people who face food or rent choices each month, this would be the one. But I know, he got to where he is by himself, like Homer.
I've only gotten to know Mr. Hoffman recently. I don't know how I've missed him since he seems like a fellow who doesn't know how to shut up. In his latest word salad I've seen, he goes on a long spiel on X. It looks like he is doing the Distract Dance until all the mean people go away, another good example of "if you can't dazzle them with brilliance, blind them with bull shit". But out of the verbal mess, one item stood out, quote: "I think her (Lina Khan's) ongoing efforts to dismantle companies weakens America's innovation economy". I would wonder what companies he would be talking about that have been "dismantled" and weakened? I mean beyond taking a few bucks out of a billionaire's pocket. Were there mass layoffs? Did product quality suffer? Or did costs rise? Oh wait, we have seen that - but usually when it has gone in the other direction: Mergers and Acquisitions. And a few of us have seen the worst of what duopolies and monopolies can do when left to be free: free to take advantage.
What could be at the root of Hoffman's problem? He seems like an intelligent fellow (wise might another story). He is well-educated. Possibly he has been hanging around too many brainwashed MBA holders, like this one. If anybody see's former DaVita ceo Kent Thiry, tell him I still have a few questions for him.
But getting back to Hoffman, how could we deprogram this misguided soul. Apparently he likes to read books! He likes to write books! I hope his books are better than his mish-mash of an X reply!
Possibly he would appreciate a reading list, all the writers are impressive with impressive credentials:
Update: And it gets worse: KIDS!!!!
Petition (and see our visit to DC and DC Press Conference + Rally)
