Ironically, most of the largest companies in the world these days are pushing a left leaning agenda of higher regulation, and not really pushing back too much o

Ironically, most of the largest companies in the world these days are pushing a left leaning agenda of higher regulation, and not really pushing back too much on taxation. Which seems odd, until you remember that higher regulation and taxation means that they're better able to keep out their competition, which means they have more of an ability to dictate exactly what people have available in the way of pay ranges. Sure, every few years at the local level that may mean minimum wage jumps by a dollar or two, but at this point, it's not even keeping pace with inflation; meanwhile, their earnings and C-suite executives are making more than ever before. Perhaps it's time to actually look at the effects of liberal politics rather than simply the rhetoric. And no, I'm not saying voting for the conservative side tends to offer much support, except for a few cases. At least in America, both sides seem pretty content to have oligopolies in most industries, as it's a lot easier to serve extra-judicial "requests" for customer information, or for measures to "fact check" or otherwise tailor the flow of information in ways that government isn't allowed to do directly. By all means, vote, and look carefully at who you're voting for, but during the rest of the year, support your small businesses (including, if not especially, online companies), and find ways in your community to provide services that government and big companies are not providing without a whole net full of strings attached.