"The one thing that I know government is good for is countervailing against monopoly. It's not great at that either, but it's the only force I know that is fairly reliable"

John Perry Barlow's quote speaks with the role of federal government in managing monopolies. He acknowledges that government is not perfect at this job, however it is the only reputable force he knows of that can efficiently counter the power of monopolies. This is a crucial point, as monopolies can result in unreasonable market practices, such as rate gouging and reduced competition. By regulating monopolies, governments can ensure that markets remain competitive and that consumers are not made the most of. Barlow's quote also speaks to the importance of government in safeguarding the public from the power of big corporations. Without federal government intervention, monopolies would be able to dominate the market and potentially harm customers. Therefore, government regulation is vital in order to guarantee reasonable competition and secure the public from the power of monopolies.