Let the telecommunications companies slug it out, and their customers and the U.S. economy will be the ultimate beneficiaries.

SBC's suit challenges the provisions of the 1996 Telecommunications Act that continued the fundamental requirement that the Bell companies open their local markets to competition.

William Daley, whose appointment was announced Thursday, resembles the man who was installed on Wednesday as speaker of the House, John Boehner.

If the mergers go through,we will be able to make our own choices, without the clumsy interventions of politicians, judges, and bureaucrats.

Merger authority, voluntary conditions, and public involvement has created a self-perpetuating myth that the FCC has far-reaching authority to sanction or reject mergers in the public interest.

Telecom Act was supposed to end Baby Bells' monopolies, but now Bells appeal to politicians for help, creatingmore monopolies.

Without firm action to enforce the Telecom Act, consumers will soon find its promises of choice will come down to this: The Bells, the Bells, and only the Bells.