[mmt]

my cable or internet provider, my private healthcare, and my cell phone company

These aren't exactly archetypes of free market competition, being oligopolies, at best. I can't speak for NJ, but, in California, I consider it telling that they all have a state regulatory agency.

Number portability has improved telephony competition, but I don't think we're yet free of the effects of the old A/B cellular duopoly in the US.

[krschultz]

But the same can be said for UPS and FedEx. I actually have more options for TV, internet, and phone than for shipping. My point is that these anecdotes can not be extrapolated to a larger point. Really your dealings with these large corporations or government agencies are few and far between with a handful of people that may or may not be nice as people and may or may not be having a good day. Should we decide public policy based on that?