Mini Show #37: BLM Finances, DHS Board, Southern Baptists, Starbucks Workers, Bezos Posting, Baby Formula, & More!
May 28, 2022
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Guests Layla Dalton, a fired Starbucks worker and union activist, Matt Stoller, an antitrust analyst known for his insights on market power, Ken Klippenstein, an investigative journalist from The Intercept, and Peter Goodman, author of "Davos Man," dive into a variety of pressing issues. They discuss the financial challenges of social justice movements, the impact of corporate influence on public discourse, and the evolving dynamics of U.S.-Saudi relations. The podcast critiques the accountability of activist organizations and reveals the ongoing baby formula crisis.
The Southern Baptist Convention faces a scandal of sexual assault and harassment cover-up, raising concerns about the church's treatment of vulnerable members.
The baby formula shortage in the US exposes the monopoly power and distortion in the market, negatively impacting parents and babies.
Abbott Labs prioritizes profits over providing reliable baby formula, highlighting the detachment of large conglomerates from consumer needs.
The US baby formula market is characterized by a monopoly-like structure due to sole-source contracts with the government, limiting affordable options for consumers.
The Biden administration's strategy of sidestepping the Palestinian question to focus on Gulf country deals raises concerns about long-term consequences in the Middle East.
Davos serves as a platform for the billionaire class to protect their market power and wealth, resisting measures that threaten the status quo.
Deep dives
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A report has exposed a widespread cover-up of sexual assault and harassment allegations within the Southern Baptist Convention.
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The investigation, prompted by local reporting of abuse charges against pastors, reveals instances of deception, stonewalling, and intimidation of victims.
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The report documents a callous disregard for victims and credible allegations of predatory behavior by some SBC leaders themselves.
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It also uncovers a database of known abusers that the executive committee claimed was impossible to create due to Baptist church autonomy.
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The revelations have sent shockwaves throughout the convention and raised questions about the church's treatment of its most vulnerable members.
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It remains to be seen if this will lead to meaningful change within the Southern Baptist Convention.
Baby Formula Shortage and Monopoly Power
There is currently a shortage of baby formula in the United States after Abbott Labs, the biggest producer of baby formula, had to shut down its production facilities due to contamination. This shortage has resulted in difficulties for parents, especially those with babies who require special formulas due to allergies or gastrointestinal issues. Abbott Labs, a massive conglomerate, has a monopoly-like power in the baby formula market, controlling about 80% of the market share alongside another firm called Meade Johnson. Despite their failure to deliver adequate formula, Abbott Labs is likely to maintain its dominance in the market due to its monopoly power. The infant formula market is heavily influenced by the government program called WIC, which provides formula to low-income families. The government, as a large buyer, gives sole-source contracts to one producer in each state, leading to market distortion and limited options for retailers. This results in higher prices for non-WIC recipients, as the formula producer can raise prices elsewhere to compensate for the low prices charged to the government. The shortage itself is not solely a production problem, but also a regional distribution issue. States with Abbott contracts, such as Tennessee and Missouri, have experienced more significant shortages. This situation highlights the monopoly power and distortion in the baby formula market, illustrating the negative consequences for parents and babies who rely on these products.
Abbott Labs' Profit Prioritization
Despite the baby formula shortage, Abbott Labs, a $200 billion company, prioritizes profits over providing reliable products. Baby formula accounts for a small percentage of Abbott Labs' total revenue, making it less of a concern for the company's CEOs and executives. Abbott Labs engages in financial maneuvers like share buybacks, dividends, and mergers, indicating a focus on financial gains rather than ensuring the availability of essential products. This profit-driven approach underscores the detachment of large conglomerates from the needs of consumers, despite the devastating consequences for parents and the vulnerability of infants. The company's monopolistic position enables it to maintain market dominance even after failures, perpetuating its profit-first mentality.
Forming Monopoly Power in Baby Formula Market
The baby formula market in the United States is characterized by a monopoly-like structure, where one producer, often through sole-source contracts with the government, controls a significant share of the market. The government program called WIC, the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children, plays a major role in the market. Through state-level sole-source contracts, the government becomes a power buyer, dictating terms to sellers. This distorts the market, as retailers find it unprofitable to offer alternative formulas not covered by WIC contracts. Abbott Labs, due to its contracts with WIC, maintains a sizable market share despite its failures. The sole-source system, combined with spillover effects that allow formula producers to charge higher prices to non-WIC recipients, reinforces the monopoly power and restricts the availability of affordable options for consumers.
Biden administration's approach to the Palestinian question
The Biden administration seems to be following a strategy similar to Jared Kushner's approach, which is to sidestep the Palestinian question and focus on creating deals between Gulf countries like Saudi Arabia, Israel, the UAE, and Bahrain. They seem to be ignoring the Palestinians and attempting to lock in these agreements before public frustration can be expressed. However, this approach raises concerns about the long-term consequences, including the possibility of being locked into conflicts and expending blood and treasure in responding to the problems in the region.
The World Economic Forum and Davos
Davos, the gathering of the most powerful people on Earth, has drawn both criticism and conspiracy theories. While the official program talks about issues like climate change and inequality, the billionaires and tech CEOs who finance the event often use it as a platform to protect themselves from meaningful actions that could challenge the status quo. The forum is significant not because of the rule-making that happens there, but rather for what it signifies: the billionaire class signaling that they control the narrative and don't want measures like antitrust enforcement or progressive taxation to threaten their market power and wealth.
Krystal and Saagar talk about the DHS board shutting down, BLM grifting, Netflix programming, Jared Kushner, American journalist killed, Southern Baptist abuse scandal, Starbucks workers, Bezos posting, Dem election fights, US Middle East diplomacy, Davos men, and Baby Formula crisis!
