.. The problem is that the economic "moats" around the incumbents are largely due to state intervention and protectionist policies anyway. How much protection does Detroit get from Washington? A lot. So, you have a bizarre situation where the "solution" to market dysfunction caused by government protectionist policy is ... wait for it .... more government protectionist policy. My goodness, this sounds like your tax dollars are being spent wisely .... Not. And all this from a country that trumpets free-market idealism like the rest of the world doesn't already get it. And practice it. And do a darn sight better at it (than the North-East at least).