1. United States
2. Alaska
3. Letter

I am writing to express my deep concern about the ongoing issue of corporate price gouging, particularly in light of the recent developments involving the proposed merger between Kroger and Albertsons. My fears and suspisions were confirmed when Kroger's CEO admitted that they had been gouging consumers on the price of milk, eggs, and bread in the hearing. My deepest fears were validated when he admitted that there was no guarantee of any kind that the merger would result in lower prices, that there was not any guarantee they would not close stores, and when the C&S VP of Corporate Development and Financial Planning testified that Kroger and Albertson's were unloading their worst performing stores to it's brand in their divestment, which would likely fail. Kroger and Albertson's were trying to set us up for higher prices all around. I am alarmed by the detrimental impact that unchecked corporate power is having on consumers, especially as we continue to experience rising prices in essential sectors like groceries. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) recently raised significant concerns about the Kroger-Albertsons merger, citing strong evidence that this consolidation could lead to higher prices, reduced competition, and significant harm to consumers. It is crucial to understand that price gouging and excessive consolidation in the grocery industry are not isolated issues. When large corporations are allowed to merge unchecked, the resulting monopolistic practices harm consumers by inflating prices and limiting choices. These effects are already happening, because we have been allowing unchecked mergers for 20 years. We are already seeing these effects in the marketplace. Many companies, emboldened by their market dominance, are using their power to hike prices well beyond inflation rates, impacting everyday Americans who are struggling to make ends meet. While profits for these corporations soar, ordinary consumers bear the brunt of their decisions. I urge you to take swift and decisive action to address these issues. This includes opposing mergers that concentrate too much power in the hands of a few corporations, and supporting stronger antitrust enforcement that holds companies accountable for predatory practices like price gouging. In the past we have broken up monopolies, and we need to remember that the US government has that power and wield it as the threat it is to large companies. They must understand that robbing the people has consequences, and they must be afraid of those consequences. We must stop acting as though there's nothing that we--or as my elected representative, YOU!--can do about people having their pockets fleeced. Please stand with consumers and ensure that corporate profiteering at our expense is not tolerated. We are counting on your leadership to create a more equitable and competitive economy. Thank you for your attention to this critical matter. I eagerly await your response.