> if they're a monopoly, then they simply shouldn't be allowed to exist.

Market driven de-facto monopoly are allowed. If you own >90% search engine marketshare it is fine as you have earned it. If you abuse the marketshare to enter shopping, travel market it is monopoly-*abuse* and it should be blocked/fined.

Abuse would include if you were charging ridiculous amounts of money for your monopoly service, like Ma Bell did, right? What about deterring competition with portfolios full of braindead patents? Buying legislation that puts high barriers around the market? I think the separation between government and big business is a farce, today, and in combination they're way more oppressive than high priced telephone service was way back when.