For use: Friday, June 8, 2000 and thereafter

 

Future Shoes: "Cynical Thoughts About Microsoft Politics"

by Michael Finley

Copyright (c) 2000 by Michael Finley

Doubtless many citizens, hearing of Judger Thomas Penfield Jackson's order to break Microsoft in two, are shrugging their shoulders about now and saying, "So what?" One company or two, what difference does it make to my life?

Well, think of the problem in political terms. Bill Clinton made powerful inroads over the past eight years raising money from Microsoft's Silicon Valley dotcom competitors. Many observers feel, in fact, that the antitrust action against Microsoft was Clinton's payback to the IBMs and Apples and Hewlett-Packards who donated so heavily to his election and re-election.

And who can question the politics of tagging Bill Gates as the Dr. Evil of the post-Cold War era? He's well known, he causes tons of pain to hundreds of millions of people, he's definitely a bully in the marketplace, if not an out-and-out monopolist. Don’t we all, in a democratic system, like to see the mighty brought low? It's always funnier to see a plump-bottomed banker slip on a banana peel than seeing a figure in rags do the same thing.

This is cynical stuff. But back off on cynicism a bit and imagine the same scenario done for the right reasons. Microsoft really has engaged in anti-competitive practices -- as would we all in its position. Government every now and then (Standard Oil, AT&T) likes to send a message that it still plays an important role in the economy. What better, or more appropriate way, than to administer the sting to what was a year ago the world's richest corporation? First, it has the result of curbing Microsoft's excesses. Second, it sends a message to all industries that there's an even bigger bully out there than the big bad corporation.

OK, that's still pretty cynical. But wait, it gets worse, because both sides are doing it. One reason Justice went after Microsoft hammer and tongs is that Microsoft spent $2 million two years ago to strip the antitrust division of the very authority to do what it now doing. Imagine a system in which powerful interests can lobby until they are no longer controllable? I know, we already have that, but this was especially blatant, and it put blood in the Justice Dept.'s eye. That little bit of gamesmanship remains at the root of the push to break Microsoft up -- they're just so darn arrogant!

We're still not done with the cynical stuff, however. Clinton is, of course, unable to seek a third term, and the opposition party, which did its best (and worst) to prevent him from finishing even his second term, sees an opportunity to use Microsoft to prevent Clinton's successor from being elected.

And this is the essence of Microsoft's indifference to the breakup decree. Their plan is to hold out using the appeals process as long as they can -- until the election is held. With the help of Microsoft's money, and media clout, the Republicans hope to sweep George W. Bush into office, while retaining controlling majorities in both the House and Senate.

A Bush victory means, among other things, that the antitrust action against Microsoft will be torn up. You could hear it in House Majority Leader Dick Armey's remark Thursday, that the Justice Department's actions revealed that the Clinton administration's "understanding of technology is outdated."

Think about that. Think about what you know about Dick Armey. What is the likelihood that this man's understanding of technology is more up-to-date than the Clinton administration's? I'm not saying that the Clinton administration gets the whole new economy idea -- but I can’t believe Dick Armey gets even a smidgeon of it.

And that, brothers and sisters, is why the court decision matters to you -- whether you use Microsoft Word 2000 or not. Because whoever finally wins this case controls not just the fate of Microsoft's investors, employees, competitors, and customers. It's really about our country, and the river of money and power running through it.

Wouldn't it have been grand if Microsoft had settled out of court, instead of handing a victory to either of these two sides -- and a blood vendetta to whoever loses?

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