<i>We've established that monopolies can't exist – or at least not for very long – unless there is government meddling first.</i><p>Great, let's get rid of whatever government meddling caused these artificial monopolies first, <i>then</i> get rid of the consumer protections. Since the "let's get rid of red tape" never proceeds in the order it would take to actually rid us of these troublesome monopolies, but only reduces consumer protection, I have to hold the opinion that the "get rid of red tape" and "government meddling causes monopolies" positions are just persiflage, put out by the monopolists themselves.