Organized Money

We hear a lot about how Big Tech uses algorithms to serve up information - but on this episode, we have a story about how they also use their power to control what you can see and hear. After independent journalist Ken Klippenstein wrote a story sharing a dossier about J.D. Vance, allegedly obtained in an Iranian hack of the Trump campaign, X suspended his account and blocked links to his Substack. People that shared his post on X had their  accounts suspended and were told to take down the post if they wanted their accounts reinstated. This is a cautionary tale about how Big Tech uses its power to limit speech, and how that's not limited to going after one political party or persuasion.Check out Ken's site here: https://www.kenklippenstein.com

Maggie Goodlander, a former antitrust attorney and current Congressional candidate from New Hampshire, dives into the rising importance of antitrust issues in political campaigns. She discusses the unique challenges of advocating against monopolies while campaigning and the need for stronger enforcement within the Justice Department. Goodlander highlights stories of everyday citizens affected by corporate dominance, emphasizing how monopolies impact families and local economies. Her insights shed light on the transformative potential of a focused antitrust message in today's political landscape.

In Part 1, we heard how pharmacists are trying to push back against the monopolistic and harmful practices of PBMs. Today, we hear from another avenger who is taking the battle against PBMs to his workplace on Capitol Hill. Representative Jake Auchicloss is a co-sponsor of the bipartisan Pharmacists Fight Back Act, the most comprehensive PBM reform ever introduced at the federal level. He tells David and Matt that you've got to delink the money that a PBM earns to the price of a drug or the volume of drugs that are sold. And he's not willing to settle for less. 

What would you do if you owned an independent pharmacy and you discovered that the only way to actually make money would be to stop filling most prescriptions? This is what our guest Benjamin Jolley sees everyday. As a third generation independent pharmacist, he's watched as an industry of middlemen have taken control over a transaction that they literally have nothing to do with. Pharmacy Benefit Managers, PBMs decide which drugs, the pricing and the supply between patients trying to fill prescriptions and what a pharmacist gets paid. As a result, some 2000 plus pharmacies have closed this year. How did we get here? Matt and David go behind the pharmacy counter to break it all down with Benjamin Jolley. 

Laurel Kilgour, an attorney and research manager at the American Economic Liberties Project, dives deep into the controversial merger of grocery giants Kroger and Albertsons. She highlights the potential impacts on competition, prices, and the workforce as these companies seek to consolidate power. Insights from the ongoing courtroom battles reveal the high stakes for consumers and how a merger could reshape the grocery landscape. Laurel also adds an engaging layer by discussing the courtroom dynamics and the complexities of corporate mergers in today's market.

Brody and Luke Mullins, investigative journalists and co-authors of "The Wolves of K Street," delve into Google’s antitrust challenges and lobbying strategies. They discuss why a critical antitrust trial took 11 years to materialize and the unseen influence Google wielded over political circles. The brothers share insights on the transformation of lobbying practices and the historical context of corporate power dynamics. With personal anecdotes and a deep dive into regulatory battles, they reveal the complex interplay between tech giants and government.

On Organized Money, Matt Stoller & Dave Dayen break down the ways monopolies control the food we eat, the drugs we take, the way we communicate – and so much more. Coming October 15th.