TypicalSurfer - 1:52 pm on Nov 23, 2012 (gmt 0)

Google is just spending heavily in DC, there is no mystery. The FTC is on its way to being "captured" as is the SEC by Wall Street, the FDA by big pharm, etc.

My understanding is they got to a faction in the senate.

"In the interest of providing more regulatory certainty for American consumers and job creators, we urge the Federal Trade Commission to act with humility and restrain itself to activities for which it has clear legal authority," the senators wrote. In addition to DeMint, the letter was signed by GOP Sens. Kay Bailey Hutchison (Texas), Orrin Hatch (Utah), John Thune (N.D.), John Cornyn (Texas), Johnny Isakson (Ga.), Roy Blunt (Mo.), John Boozman (Ark.), Pat Toomey (Penn.) and Marco Rubio (Fla.). DeMint, one of the most conservative members of the Senate, is in line to become the ranking member of the Senate Commerce Committee in the next Congress. The panel has jurisdiction over the FTC.

[thehill.com...]

It's best to own a few lawmakers, no better ROI on the planet.

The government can't stop google anyway, that is a market decision and also to a larger degree the willingness of marketers and publishers to consent to google rule. When consent ($) are stripped by those who feed the beast, google will be another alta vista.

Apparently it is in the best interest of the majority to support google government, a minority would like to see some balance but until a tipping point is reached and google is rejected by the majority, they will remain on the throne.

Everyone complains about the power of google when in fact, the power lays with their constituents and supporters.