I thought he resigned for crimes against fashion....
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn...060304937.html
Even so, no matter what you think of politicians, the only way to break up monopolies is to regulate them. This includes enforcing limits on the number of slots and market share of any airline in each market. Huge, anti-consumer mergers, such as the Delta one should be unpicked and broken up, much the same as the Ma Bell break up in the 70s. The Continental/United tie up should be equally denied. The bar on foreign airlines competing with US airlines should also be dropped. Why should US airlines have special protection? By the same logic, you should ban people buying foreign cars, electronics, etc. The US economy would die if other countries banned their products.. it is the largest trading nation in the world and it is hypocritical to demand free trade around the world whilst imposing protectionist measures at home. By the same token, the ban on foreign ownership of US based airlines should be dropped AND open skies agreements extended.
Incidently, just to be clear. I am not calling for the type of regulation where fares are controlled or there too much regulation of the service, routes, etc. I think competition will take care of this, when competition is allowed to flourish. It won't flourish under the current system where it is controlled by a cartel of giants.