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richardhutnik on 24 March 2013
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Mr Khan said:
thranx said:
richardhutnik said:
 

So, you don't believe in collective wisdom that sees that certain regulations and preventive measures that can prevent much larger costs, by stopping things before they start.  So, in regards to protecting citizens from themselves, is that not what law enforcement is about?

Law enforcement is there to protect you from your neighbors and others with in your country. Not sure what regulations you mean, there are so many. Some regulation is ok, minimal regulation. Most of what we have now is not. A lot of it removes personal responsibilty, and leads to people having no need to think or plan for themselves. I dont think that is good, and will in the long run be bad for people. It is already showing in the US population. With most people not caring about their health because it doesnt cost them money, someone else will foot the bill. Personal responsibility is a good thing, choosing to help others is a good thing, having these things forced upon you removes their value.

But when your personal irresponsibility can create a hell of a lot of public problems (like through irresponsible environmental practices, not caring about the health or welfare of your employees, refusing to get health insurance and having no plan for when disaster strikes), does this not fall under the same mantle of police-like responsibility? If you have a dangerous, attractive nuisance on your lawn, it's natural for the police to stop by and tell you to remove it before somebody gets hurt. Same thing if you're using lead-based paints in children's toys.

Those who cry out for more "freedom" and don't want "big bad government" oppressing them, end up not seeing the collective harm their own person conduct can have.  They operate under the presumptions they can exist alone and it not impact others.  And others who do get harme, they want contained so they can blow themselves up, because fundamental to their view of freedom is that freedom must be maximized in order to allow people to even choose death.  See, who are you to tell others they can't have lead in their paint?

In the prior post I responded to, I did ask what this "government" thing is, because it was spoken how there is mayhem where there is little or no government.  On that note, I had to ask what was expected of government and what it was.  Apparently it ends up being a totally subjective, "just enough so problems get avoided".