Re: ...What does it mean to be an American?


"Jochem Huhmann" <joh@xxxxxxx> wrote in message
news:m2mzb97wro.fsf@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
"Scott Hedrick" <diespammers-dinehnm@xxxxxxxxx> writes:

Why should the government interfere with a private decision?

Because there are reasons to have a government (and a state or any
publicly financed community). One of these reasons is the fact that the
"free market" is not a suitable solution for all problems.

No, but it *is* a suitable solution for the problem of wages. As long as
even *one* person is willing to work for less than you, then the market
wage
is set by that person.

Yes, it works this way if there is no regulation for that. But this is
not a law of nature. Having cultural limits and regulations for things
better not left totally "free" is one of the basics of civilisation and
the greed for profit is one of these things.

Note that "the greed for profit" *also* applies to wages. Contrary to what
some anti-tax kooks may think, wages are the profit of labor.


Why, indeed? Why *is* the government trying to regulate porn? If adults
want
to voluntarily produce and purchase such stuff, then let them. If adults
want to engage in sex for money, why should the government stop them? If
professional athletes want to dope their bodies, then let them. If the
fans
thought that drugs were wrong, then they would show it by *not buying
tickets*.

So why it is not legal to freely produce, sell and advertize cocaine,
crack or whatever in the US?

Because the government has decided it shouldn't be, of course, because of a
lot of do-gooders.

And what would the US look like if it were?

Probably not much different than now, once the initial intoxication of
freedom has worn off.

And it is somewhat ironic that selling pictures of people having sex is
highly regulated while the market of workers is free enough to have them
end up with no money for health insurance.

IF the workers want health insurance, they should buy it. My own parents
purchased a health insurance policy without the need for an employer.

The government *should* ensure that all parties are fully informed, so
that
they can make truly free decisions, then stay back. So long as actions
involving consenting adults do not adversely affect others, why should
the
government interfere?

Because actions involving consenting adults is one thing and powerful
corporations acting with remorseless greed against powerless individuals
is another.

Then there are the vast majority of corporations which *don't* act with
remorseless greed. You seem to be under the quite false impression that
corporation = evil. As far as the workers being powerless, if that were the
case, unions would have died long ago. Workers *always* have the power to
stop working.

A free market *needs* bounds and limits
as desperately as a free country needs laws and police.

Yes, but that *does not mean* and *never has meant* that GOVERNMENT needs to
set those limits. Consumers can vote with their dollars for those issues
they deem important. Winning the hearts and minds of the consumers is far
more effective and has longer lasting effects than government regulation.
Look at cigarettes- they are still legal, yet consumers have been turned
against them, and as a result Big Tobacco is dying. It didn't take
government regulation to do that. Winning hearts and minds takes time and
lots more effort, so lazy people who need instant gratification instead of
longer term but more permanently satisfying results turn to government
regulation.


.

Relevant Pages

  • Re: Dems totally in charge now
    ... explain why free markets are better for the citizens than a government ... It's 'regulation lite' since transparency doesn't imply anything ... Transparency is the natural state of a free market transaction. ...
    (misc.invest.stocks)
  • Re: Dems totally in charge now
    ... ultimately they have to cut the social conservatives loose and compete ... explain why free markets are better for the citizens than a government ... It's 'regulation lite' since transparency doesn't imply anything ... notion of "keeping the market playing field level". ...
    (misc.invest.stocks)
  • Re: OT ~ More Regulation?
    ... like Bobby Fiction who advocate more government interference in the ... free market ought to read it carefully. ... Mistaken regulation contributed greatly to ... The Federal Reserve agreed to take $30 billion of risky ...
    (rec.outdoors.rv-travel)
  • Re: The Oracle of Omaha Bought Goldman When it was at $125. Goldman is Now Selling At $71
    ... Smith demonstrated that, in a free market, an individual pursuing his ... I personally am not in favor of that sort of government tinkering, ... It seems unfettered regulation has caused this fiscal ... The Federal National Mortgage Association and the Federal ...
    (soc.retirement)
  • Re: Dems totally in charge now
    ... Are they a theocratic party that supports policies ... explain why free markets are better for the citizens than a government ... But you're not a completely free market person are you? ... It's 'regulation lite' since transparency doesn't imply anything ...
    (misc.invest.stocks)