Intrusive advertising is THE cornerstone of capitalism...

Gordon,

The problem is not capitalism.

Every instance you cite involves huge corporate interests who have a long-time unholy alliance with the politicians. The corporations fund campaigns, and congress passes the legislation the corporations want ... mainly designed to raise the bureaucratic cost of entry into any market so high that no entrepreneur in his right mind would dare enter that market.

The problem is government collusion with big business. If you want to call that capitalism, I guess that's your choice. To me, it's anti-capitalism. The intended result is FEWER businesses and LESS competition ... putting more money in the pockets of big business and the politicians.

The only way that will stop is when politicians don't go along with it. It's pretty tough to be optimistic THAT will ever happen ... but certainly not with the group in charge now.

Richard