Can anyone think of a for profit or non-profit entity that operates as a true monopoly?

You remember the word monopoly from your economics class that you struggled to stay awake in, don’t you?  A monopoly occurs when a company or group has exclusive control over a commodity or service. Yes, Monopoly is also a great board game. There is no sweeter feeling than sending three of your closest friends into Hasbro bankruptcy.

I can’t remember the exact date, but it was probably around 1990. The company I worked for operated their own screen print shop. That’s how we produced solid color, large text and logo graphics. Photographic panels were subcontracted to a traditional photo lab, with a darkroom, chemicals, enlargers and other ancient and long forgotten, mothballed equipment.

For anyone under the age of 40 who is unfamiliar with some of the terms used in the last paragraph, call me and I’ll explain them. Otherwise, let’s move on because, as former Bears’ coach Mike Ditka says, “The past is for cowards and losers.”