Originally Posted by Jazz

No, I don't think Bell was ever a government owned monopoly, they were just super greedy while they had the monopoly.

I understand WHY I'm being chided for applauding Sabio. He made no real sacrifice by giving up his pension and bonuses for the next few years. The point, though, is that there are lots of rich people like him who do not give up any spectacular amount. they might give regularly to charity - we don't know that. It is possible that Sabio chose to forego his pension rather than giving it to some charity, because this way he would get into the news. Maybe that's what he wanted.

Originally Posted by White Doors

No, they were never a government owned monopoly, however they were at one time, a government mandated monopoly - just like AT&T was in the US.