Supporters of government intervention like to think government officials sitting around a table can predict consumer behavior and determine wants and needs better than actual consumers can through the millions of buying signals they provide every moment of the day. We see this in North Carolina when officials pick winners and losers in specific industries by propping them up with public subsidies, thereby putting their competitors in the unenviable position of not only being at a competitive disadvantage, but having to help fund their competition as well.

In the retail market, “New Coke” is a classic example of what happens when real market forces signal that a company has made a huge mistake. Recently we’ve seen other incredible examples of market forces at work. JC Penney, one of my favorite stores for years, went off track when its new CEO decided to ditch what had made the store successful. Shoppers revolted with their feet and Ron Johnson was recently ushered out the door with them. And today, CNBC is reporting that Microsoft is having to rethink Windows 8, which consumers are not taking to as hoped.

“Key aspects” of how the software is used will be changed when Microsoft releases an updated version of the operating system this year, Tammy Reller, head of marketing and finance for the Windows business, said in an interview with the Financial Times. Referring to difficulties many users have had with mastering the software, she added: “The learning curve is definitely real.”

The marketplace speaks.