Which do you want, corporate profits or competition? Think carefully

The argument over the possible break-up of Coles and Woolworths, as proposed by the Greens and backed by the Nationals (the latter on the basis they’d prefer farmers to overcharge consumers, not the supermarkets) is at the idiot fringe of a much bigger discussion to be had about our economy. That is: how invested are we in the power of large corporations to use their oligopolistic position to rip us off, and how much do we stand to lose if we establish break-up powers to impose competition where little currently exists?

In the first place, the focus on Coles and Woolies is misleading.