Welcome to You’re Probably Getting Screwed, a weekly newsletter and video series from J.D. Scholten and Justin Stofferahn about the Second Gilded Age and the ways economic concentration is putting politics and profits over working people. Welcome to You’re Probably Getting Screwed, a weekly newsletter and video series from J.D. Scholten and Justin Stofferahn about the Second Gilded Age and the ways economic concentration is putting politics and profits over working people. The American Economic Liberties Project (AELP) held its 3rd Annual Anti-Monopoly Summit, which Justin and I both were able to attend. To watch, here’s Day 1 and Day 2. Here are some of the highlights: Lina Khan’s Keynote
“At its core, antimonopoly is a governing philosophy. It views concentrations of power as a threat to freedom, recognizing that tyranny comes in many guises. And it recognizes that securing democratic checks against this power is vital for securing real freedom for people—freedom from the arbitrary exercise of coercive power, as well as the freedom to build a life of one’s choosing.” You can read the full transcript of her speech here. The Panel about Safeguarding America’s Innovation Edge in the Age of AI
The entire panel was interesting. This part from Doha Mekki (former Acting Assistant Attorney General, DOJ Antitrust Division): “I think that AI may well be having its NAFTA moment. At this time all these companies are making promises to Americans about how many great things are on the horizon and that jobs are going to be better and that there’s going to be so much great stuff if we just yield our rights, civil liberties, our economic liberties. Meanwhile, you see more dependencies, more problems locating the infrastructure outside of the United States.” Members of Congress The encouraging part was seeing more Members of Congress participating in the Summit. This year’s Summit had 4 Senators and 7 House members participate! Senator Chris Murphy (CT) Senator Ruben Gallego (AZ) Senator Cory Booker (NJ) Senator Elizabeth Warren (MA) Becca Balint (VT-at large) Chris Deluzio (PA-17) Maxine Dexter (OR-03) Debbie Dingell (MI-06) Pramila Jayapal (WA-07) Pat Ryan (NY-18) Josh Riley (NY-19) The disappointing part was that not one Republican elected official has participated in these Summits. AELP is a nonprofit, so these Summits are nonpartisan.
Senator Murphy had some interesting remarks in his interview. He talked about the opportunity for political realignment and how his polling shows people want an economy, not a cult of profit and efficiency. Rep. Josh Riley introduced a bill at the Summit that would ban foreign corporations from buying up American utility companies!
Minnesota State Representative Emma Greenman Rep. Greenman won the Economic Liberties Award for her overall work, highlighted by the passing of a noncompete ban in 2024 which had to be protected in the 2025 session.
In her speech, Rep. Greenman asked “Will we have a government of the people or a government of the corporation?” Adam Conover
It was interesting to hear Adam Conover talk about how corporate consolidation is part of authoritarianism and his experience in the entertainment industry. Overall The Antimonopoly Summit continues to be an important event. The big difference this year was that this was the first Summit in a different presidential administration. My challenge to everyone is how does the Anti-Monopoly movement move from the Westin conference rooms in downtown Washington DC to Main Streets across our country! Standing Tall for All, J.D. Scholten
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