"Most of economics is an intellectual veneer to justify politically motivated policy actions" This is completely unfair. 'Most of economics' is just academic,

"Most of economics is an intellectual veneer to justify politically motivated policy actions" This is completely unfair. 'Most of economics' is just academic, and has little to do with policy. Moreover, there's absolutely nothing wrong with companies hiring economists to build models for things that interest them. AT&T's acquisitions are mostly their business, and so long as the government does it's job, then there should be little concern. The 'issue' should be the competence and ability of those green-lighting M&A.