[olivermarks]

The essential economic problem is that currently running small retail businesses isn't viable unless you sell through Amazon's distribution (also less centralized ebay). This means far fewer retail jobs, empty storefronts and malls, taxes levied on businesses, gasoline/petrol etc The centralizing of everything through Amazon is classic monopoly practice. I have a ladder being delivered by them today I ordered on Friday evening. No one can compete on price or efficiencies both on their side and from my perspective. I don't want to drive my truck to buy a ladder. Nothing is stopping this trend form rapidly increasing across the western world