The Government vs. Microsoft

Why is our government so eager to destroy any business that gets too successful? (“FTC Could Come Down Hard on Microsoft,” Feb. 1.)

Microsoft Chairman Bill Gates did not get rich by stealing, swindling or misrepresenting his wares. He just makes a better software mousetrap.

I have often been puzzled by our government’s zeal to break up the old, reliable AT&T.; But I am even more perplexed by the Federal Trade Commission’s current attacks on Microsoft’s profiting from its own success. Charges for services on my monthly phone bill used to be quite nominal, and requests for repairs were always acted on promptly before the government broke up Ma Bell.

Are we to believe that hampering Microsoft’s ability to profit from its own creation is in our country’s best interests?

Instead of attacking Microsoft’s business practices, the FTC should be thankful: Our trade deficit would have been far worse were Microsoft less successful in the overseas market.

JOHN T. CHIU

Corona Del Mar, Calif.