The Wall Street Journal reported Friday that the American Booksellers Association is asking the Department of Justice to “investigate” the book price war now underway between Wal-Mart and Amazon and Target.

Their complaint? The small independent bookstores cannot compete with the low prices of the mega–companies.

This is ridiculous. Companies like Target and Wal-Mart and Amazon achieved the position in the marketplace that they have by hard work, planning, accepting risk and creating value for their customers. It is not the purpose of government to protect their “competition.” In fact, it is immoral for the independent booksellers to ask for relief. Besides, the relief they seek is in fact higher prices for consumers. What kind of a deal is that?

The independent booksellers, if they want to survive, must figure out how to create value for their customers or they need to invest their time and resources into another business. The last thing on their list should be whining to the government for protection