On the recordMay 9, 2018
competition is the lifeblood of the American economy. Competition is what makes capitalism work. It is competition that has established the United States as the world's dominant economic force for over a century. American competition is driven by innovation. We created the light bulb, the automobile, and the internet. We all know that the internet has revolutionized the way we communicate, learn, and do business. A free and open internet allows students in Houghton, Lancing, and Mount Pleasant to access research and to collaborate internationally. A free and open internet allows startups in Detroit, Grand Rapids, and Flint to reach customers across the globe. A free and open internet allows a small bed and breakfast in Traverse City or Muskegon to reach millions of potential guests that they couldn't otherwise reach. While the internet has been a potent force for innovation and economic growth in recent decades, our economy has been facing some serious headwinds. I am deeply concerned that we are seeing increased business consolidation--big firms are getting bigger--and we are seeing fewer new small businesses and startups. A recent study found that across 900 different industries, over two-thirds have become more concentrated in the past decade. The formation of new companies is falling. The number of jobs created by new businesses has fallen, even as our workforce has grown.…





