[mtoner23]

This is entirely false and ignores Reg NMS. Everyone must execute at the NBBO. As well customer orders are often given better and tighter prices than other market participants. HFT firms will often offer them better than NBBO prices. As well, none of these prices you quote would not exist without market makers, its just now the fact that to be a market maker you must be an HFT firm as well due to the scale that is now required.