Why Doesn’t Congress Do a Comprehensive Investigation of Amazon?

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Goldman Sachs is no longer the ultimate giant squid, wrapping its toxic tentacles around the whole economy. Goldman has fallen to second place. First place goes to Amazon.

There is a Whole Foods in my neighborhood. I shop there as little as possible, but once in a while, it can’t be helped. They used to have a terrific selection of teas. Yesterday, I noticed that most of the favorite brands have been expunged, in favor of Whole Foods’ crappy house brands.

They’ve done this with more and more independent products. This is called a conflict of interest, and it’s one of several dozen different kinds of abuses of market power displayed by Amazon.

Back in the day, when we had a robust FTC and Justice Department Antitrust Division, abuses like these got investigated. Congress used its capacity to do investigative hearings to add to the pressure for reform.

One of the secondary sources of Trump damage is that other needed investigations of predatory capitalism have been put on hold, as all eyes are on impeachment. Once Trump is gone—and he will be gone—it’s time to go after all the other abuses that helped create the backlash that elected Trump in the first place.

I’m writing to you today with a sense of urgency that I haven’t felt since I began my journalism career. As executive editor of The American Prospect, I’ve witnessed firsthand how independent journalism serves as a crucial bulwark against the erosion of our democratic institutions. Today, that role is more vital than ever. Can you step up today and show your support?

The winds of authoritarianism are blowing stronger. We’re seeing alarming signs of a coordinated effort to silence critical voices and undermine the very foundations that support progressive causes. As Bob Kuttner presciently wrote in our August 2024 issue, a weaponized IRS could attack the very foundations of the progressive movement. We need readers to step up and help us dig in for the long haul.

We’re falling behind in our spring fundraising campaign, and with so much at stake we can’t afford to come up short. If you value fearless, independent journalism that holds the powerful accountable and defends democracy, now is the time to step up. The American Prospect depends on reader support to stay in the fight. Pitch in today and help us close the gap. Please consider making a donation today.

–David Dayen, Executive Editor