The evidence will show that Visa and MasterCard refused to play by the rules of fair competition, rules which are the foundation of our American system of free enterprise.

The 'Honor All Cards' policy says if you're a retailer and you take my credit card, then you have to take my debit card. Then whatever new product I come out with, you're forced to take all of these additional cards. It's a classic tying arrangement. Visa and MasterCard have attempted to monopolize the debit card market, and one of the ways is through these tying arrangements.

If the Justice Department's case fails, all payments -- not just plastic payments -- but recurring payments, utilities, everything, will be taxed by a cartel known by two names: Visa and MasterCard.