How come colleges now teach “ethics” courses? I thought that was a parent’s job. That is the reason that businesses need to be regulated…non-ethical behavior.
The free-market system is self regulating to the point of a business becoming a monopoly. Then, and only then, should government get involved, since they cannot regulate anything (themselves as a start).
The biggest enemy of capitalism is a successful capitalist. This is why free market economics has such a bad name. It has been hijacked by people who want a return to laissez faire capitalism. This hijacking has been welcomed by the opposite side to the detriment of the free market centrists who understand the need for regulation.
Sorry, opposite side is a bit misleading. Opposers of free market ideas are not confined to one political party or specifically left or right wing. Opposition appears in both nationalistic protectionists and social welfare proponents. Anti- globalization advocates hate it. Part of the problem is that it has never been truly attempted. So called free trade treaties have so many exceptions that you could sail an aircraft carrier through them. NAFTA is a good example. Ask our Canadian friends here whether Canadian goods sail through to the U.S. Mexican trucks are prevented from U.S. access through contrived saftey policies.(and other regulatory measures.) A full explanation would cause me to commit the great sin of lengthy ranting on the board. If you are interested in the concept of free trade, look for yourself and draw your own conclusions. At the end, you certainly don’t have to agree with me. My real beef is with a continued belief that Free Trade is nothing more than old style capitalism from the Gilded Age.
Yes, but some want the government to regulate business. Different poison, just as deadly. Government has clearly demonstrated that it cannot regulate itself to save its own life. Now we want them to regulate businesses. If you can’t manage your own affairs you certainly can’t manage someone else’s.
Better yet, the regulators are being paid by the regulated by proxy (lobbyists). So we think MORE of this is going to solve the problem?
Is that how some Americans think things work? If a gallon of spoiled milk is not drinkable does it make sense to add another gallon of the same spoiled milk?
The real fact is that FDA was reduced in staff and pulled off under Bush and companies “inspected” themselves. Contamination cases increased, and safety was ignored for a little increased profit, and that’s a fact. That may be turning around based on yesterday’s announcements.
It’ll only work if Congress will finally fund the FDA properly. Announcements are the equivalent of “the checks in the mail.” I’ve been fulminating over that long before I started posting here.
The task of regulating the market is precisely that of the government, dwyant, while the tak kof regulating the government rests with the citizens. As it says in the US Declaration of Independence,
«… whenever any form of government becomes destructive to these ends, it is the right of the people to alter or to abolish it …»
Given that, with few exceptions, the US government has been of, by, and for the rich since the end of the 19th century, it might not be a bad idea to break out those pitchforks….
Bubba_Boo Premium Member almost 15 years ago
Too True.
woodwork almost 15 years ago
How come colleges now teach “ethics” courses? I thought that was a parent’s job. That is the reason that businesses need to be regulated…non-ethical behavior.
dwyant almost 15 years ago
The free-market system is self regulating to the point of a business becoming a monopoly. Then, and only then, should government get involved, since they cannot regulate anything (themselves as a start).
jabo almost 15 years ago
Not enough jelly!
Gladius almost 15 years ago
The biggest enemy of capitalism is a successful capitalist. This is why free market economics has such a bad name. It has been hijacked by people who want a return to laissez faire capitalism. This hijacking has been welcomed by the opposite side to the detriment of the free market centrists who understand the need for regulation.
Gladius almost 15 years ago
Sorry, opposite side is a bit misleading. Opposers of free market ideas are not confined to one political party or specifically left or right wing. Opposition appears in both nationalistic protectionists and social welfare proponents. Anti- globalization advocates hate it. Part of the problem is that it has never been truly attempted. So called free trade treaties have so many exceptions that you could sail an aircraft carrier through them. NAFTA is a good example. Ask our Canadian friends here whether Canadian goods sail through to the U.S. Mexican trucks are prevented from U.S. access through contrived saftey policies.(and other regulatory measures.) A full explanation would cause me to commit the great sin of lengthy ranting on the board. If you are interested in the concept of free trade, look for yourself and draw your own conclusions. At the end, you certainly don’t have to agree with me. My real beef is with a continued belief that Free Trade is nothing more than old style capitalism from the Gilded Age.
dshepard almost 15 years ago
Yes, but some want the government to regulate business. Different poison, just as deadly. Government has clearly demonstrated that it cannot regulate itself to save its own life. Now we want them to regulate businesses. If you can’t manage your own affairs you certainly can’t manage someone else’s.
Better yet, the regulators are being paid by the regulated by proxy (lobbyists). So we think MORE of this is going to solve the problem?
Is that how some Americans think things work? If a gallon of spoiled milk is not drinkable does it make sense to add another gallon of the same spoiled milk?
Gladius almost 15 years ago
Analogies are always suspect and yes, regulation can work. It requires transparency and a public that is willing to hold the government accountable.
Dtroutma almost 15 years ago
The real fact is that FDA was reduced in staff and pulled off under Bush and companies “inspected” themselves. Contamination cases increased, and safety was ignored for a little increased profit, and that’s a fact. That may be turning around based on yesterday’s announcements.
Gladius almost 15 years ago
It’ll only work if Congress will finally fund the FDA properly. Announcements are the equivalent of “the checks in the mail.” I’ve been fulminating over that long before I started posting here.
mhenriday almost 15 years ago
The task of regulating the market is precisely that of the government, dwyant, while the tak kof regulating the government rests with the citizens. As it says in the US Declaration of Independence,
«… whenever any form of government becomes destructive to these ends, it is the right of the people to alter or to abolish it …»
Given that, with few exceptions, the US government has been of, by, and for the rich since the end of the 19th century, it might not be a bad idea to break out those pitchforks….
Henri