Re: [asa] Wilson's "The Creation"

Janice, I must admit you really fooled me. I had fun speculating on what your comeback might be but I never expected this. Good try, but the fundamental problem is deeper than that and has nothing to do with subsidies. Even with all costs being borne privately, the time constant difference is too great to elicit the effect you desire. By far. I'm no fan of big government but neither am I a fan of no government.

I do believe it is very important to realize that environmental issues are one arena where market forces will NEVER be adequate, by themselves, to prevent irreversible environmental damage. That is not a call for big oppressive government. Not at all. It's a call for recognition of wisdom and shrewd governance.

Randy

  ----- Original Message -----
  From: Janice Matchett
  To: Randy Isaac
  Cc: asa@calvin.edu
  Sent: Wednesday, September 06, 2006 7:57 PM
  Subject: Re: [asa] Wilson's "The Creation"

  @ Your examples above of what is "fundamentally wrong" is a result of the fact that THIS principle in # 3 has not been "implemented": : "... since costs are not subsidized but are borne privately, unwise actions are on a smaller scale and of a shorter duration.

  Government meddling in the private markets (tax-incentives, subsidies, excessive regulations, etc.) is called interventionism and that subverts the capitalistic system. There will always be a bad result and then the clueless always blame it on "capitalism". The fact is, though, that without government aid such as subsidies, the American robber barons of the 19th century would never have succeeded.

  Of course, now that government has gotten so big and has its tentacles entwined in every corner of the private market place, it is impossible to pull the rug out all at once. It has to be wound down slowly by privatizing more and more government-run entities and stopping the intervention.

  Government is a necessary evil and it should be as small and close to the people as possible.. Big government is anathema to freedom. I will always oppose the Stalinist mentalities who advocate it.

  ~ Janice

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Received on Wed Sep 6 20:49:38 2006