GE? General Electric is a manufacturing company. They are not an electric utility. They have no authority over electric rates. The state utility boards set electric rates, not electric utilities. Yes, companies use the power of government to restrict competition and lobbyists to influence government to give them favorable taxing conditions. Unions want to force people to join unions without the right of private voting. So, you want to refuse to sign a union check off card with a union goon (or three) standing over you? Oh, they know where your spouse and family live, too. By the way, unions got government to pass legislation describing "union activities" as outside the laws of assault, mayhem and even murder. That's why in the 30's dynamite was the instrument of choice for union "organizing" (just like community organizing, but on a narrower scale.) The most flagrant racism continuing in this country is in the North, not the South. Yes, there was a racial inequality in the south. But just as much occurred in the north. But that was too close to home for many "progressives". So they ignored it. Where was the Tweed ring? Oh, yes. Boss Tweed was a Democrat New York City politician. BUT he was NOT a businessman. He was elected to several boards of directors...but was not in management. He was granted a license to practice law...but didn't go to law school. He bought a printing company in order to fulfill government printing contracts, not to run a competitive business. He was the model of corruption in government, a staunch Democrat, a ruthless example of unrestrained politics. So why shouldn't we trust government?