With Central Oregon's phenomenal growth, it attracts competition. We feel that, the more choices the consumer has, the better it is for the entire industry.

This merger and the others that follow will mean fewer choices - due to reduced competition, higher fares and likely, a serious deterioration in service, I am very skeptical that the merger of these two 'customer service-challenged,' organizations will improve this already dismal situation.

Competition lowers costs and increases choices for consumers. It's especially important that consumers have choices when it comes to life-saving medical treatments (such as those) involved in transactions such as this one.

Over the long-term, competition in search should increase. Growth is still impressive but it's moderating.

Diversification into new services is necessary to maintain growth as competition for orders from global and local companies intensifies.

Revenues in the third quarter of 2005 reflected lower prescription growth and increased competition in key therapeutic markets in the U.S., such as the lipid-lowering market, where the rate of growth in the third quarter declined significantly versus the first half of the year; and the erectile dysfunction market, which has been in decline compared to 2004.