Can someone explain to me HOW things will get better with a free market?

[mkelley_25]

I have been asking this question, in various forms, ever since I realized that I had Libertarian-leaning beliefs. I haven't yet gotten a satisfying answer, but this is probably because I have not been good at phrasing my question.  At a basic level, I do understand how things are made worse by the way our government hands out favors to certain industries or companies, but not others.  An un-level playing field only benefits the wealthy and powerful.

What I don't understand, and thus the premise behind my question is this: wealthy, powerful people run business and the government now.  Let's pretend for a minute that the government decides to remove ALL regulations from business starting tomorrow.  Aren't the same wealthy, powerful people still going to run business tomorrow?  If so, HOW will things get better for "regular, working-class people?"  Are those wealthy, powerful people suddenly going to start "doing the right thing?"  I doubt it, so, as I visualize this, I see things getting worse for us, at least in the short-term.

Please help to clear up my confusion.  Thanks!

[Mik]

In any "free market" trade, there is an advantage to those who come into the trade with wealth and/or power, as they can afford to *not* make a trade, so there is a tendency for markets to become dominated by the wealthy and/or powerful if there is no other influence brought to bear, i.e. a completely laissez faire market. Keep in mind there ate two aspects to a free market; one is of course voluntary exchange of property titles, but the other is that the rights of all individuals in the market are secured equally such that those who violate rights are punished and/or those whose rights are violated are compensated.