>>159
"Monopolies are arbitrary..."
Whatever, i believe monopolies are real and has an observable effect, but if you dont then i wont be able to convinve you otherwise.
"Differences in product quality and prices are to be expected. You don't bitch that a Ferrari is optimal, but it's expensive..."
There is equal substitutes to Ferraris (menaing other sportscars that fill the same market niche). The fastest route between two places are but one. But what you are saying is that the high price is to be expected and even that that is good. So then, wouldnt this mean an increase in cost for road users? And wouldnt this cost be harder for the poor than the rich?
"There is no "highest possible price that people will still pay". That's collectivethink."
No, that is statistics. The mean price is what i am after here, but you maybe think that means and averages is a breach on your individualism. There is an optimum where priceXbuyers is the highest possible ammount, and this is where the monopolist will set himself. And this could mean that its more beneficial for him that only 5 millionaires per year use the large interstate highway, and do you really mean that this is more efective and just?
"Taxes involve bureaucracy, which is wasteful..."
So you go on saying. But what i have tried to show you is that it at least POSSIBLE that the free market is also wasteful, and makes things more expensive for certain groups of people.