Have you bought a pair of decent tennis shoes recently?  Did they cost $50, $80 or $100?  I fully believe that every corporation out there participates in price fixing and maintaining a monopoly. How come, in the past 30 years, we’ve made technological advances the like of which have never been seen before, but still a AA battery costs a $1. Because it doesn’t benefit the corporations to pass the savings on to us. I’m so sick and tired of these multi-billion dollar companies who’s only goal it is is to get consumers to consume their crap with absolutely no regard for the impact it has on society. I love the latest argument the oil companies are espousing; gasoline cost less these days than it did in the 80’s compared to how much people make these days than they did in the 80’s. So, in other words, we have more disposable income so the oil companies are entitled to take our extra cash!!! I’m so sick and tired of these huge corporations turning a blind eye to their immoral and unethical practices all in the name of the almighty dollar. Don’t get me wrong, I’m all for capitalism and succeeding in life, but where do you draw the line between benefiting the stock holder at the expense of society? I think it’s very sad the stuff that’s going on in China with the toys and pet food and medications.  But look at what is happening to their executives. They are receiving death sentences or they are killing themselves.  They are taking responsibility or their society is making them responsible. I predict that in the next decade or so, China is going to surpass every other country in the world for the quality and cost of their products. And guess what the big Western corporations are going to do? Pass the cost on to us!  And we'll have no choice but to pay for it.  It's either that, or go live in a log cabin and eat pine nuts for the rest of your life.  It makes me sad.