Who is It Good For?

So the AT&T/T Mobile deal will result in higher prices for consumers and several thousand lost jobs. So who, you ask, is it good for? Let's hazard a few guesses, shall we?

1. ibankers: The people who underwrite the deal are always first at the trough.
2. Lawyers: Armies of 'em mobilize to do a deal like this, and they don't come cheap.
3. Directors of AT&T and T Mobile: But for a "Ka-CHING!" moment like this, there is simply no sane person who would endure corporate board meetings.
4. Officers of AT&T and T Mobile: No doubt various and sundry chief [INSERT ROLE HERE] officers at the respective companies have visions of "redundancy" and golden parachutes dancing in their heads.
5. Lobbyists: Another army to be outfitted and handsomely paid to do the D.C. Shuffle in an effort to achieve regulatory approval after a bit of theatrical handwringing by our esteemed legislators.

But don't ya'll worry your pretty little heads about this. The "free" market is our guiding principle and as long as a bunch of ibankers can get rich all over again, there's always a possibility that one day, you can, too.