The text of the Interstate commerce clause of the United States Constitution, Article I, Section 8, Clause 3 reads:
- [The Congress shall have Power] To regulate Commerce with foreign Nations, and among the several States, and with the Indian tribes
Interstate Commerce Commission
In regards to interstate commerce:
- The railroad monopolies had the power to set prices, exclude competitors, and control the market in several geographic areas. Although there was competition among railroads for long-haul routes, there was none for short-haul runs. Railroads discriminated in the prices they charged to passengers and shippers in different localities by providing rebates to large shippers or buyers. These practices were especially harmful to American farmers, who lacked the shipment volume necessary to obtain more favorable rates.[1]
New Deal
Congress's power to regulate commerce during the New Deal of President Franklin Roosevelt led to the creation of numerous Alphabet agencies, such as the SEC, OPA, AAA, FDIC, FNMA, and many others. Many of these survive and have legitimate, beneficial regulatory responsibilities to insure matters affecting public health and safety. However a bureaucratic regulatory environment can also be used to nurture crony capitalism and the "share the wealth"[2] agendas promoted by advocates such as Huey Long, Karl Marx, or Barack Obama. "Share the wealth" agendas tend to have as their aim defrauding workers and owners of property and capital a portion or all of their fundamental rights.