[aww_dang]

>I don't think there was a magical point in consolidation that let them increase the price of eggs ad hoc. Or a magic 'greed' button that they refused to hit before now. Why not just make it $30 an egg?

I'm not sure this can be approached from a rational examination of economic premises alone. You raise good questions. However political economy also should be considered.

Let us imagine for a moment that this narrative is being advanced to deflect from government largess in the economy. Under this scenario court economists have an interest in protecting the regime, while the regime and academic institutions generally have a symbiotic relationship. If these incentives make sense, the narrative can be better understood in this political context.

Unfortunately this hypothesis suggests that there is very little we can say here without this discussion devolving into the regular flames we see on this topic.