Chad's Miniblog

Can Government Get it Right?

A Facebook Friend with whom I have been having some conversations about Libertarian ideas posted the following list of Things that we get from the government that we can all agree are good.

As you might suspect, I disagreed with a few. Here is the list and my respnse:

1. Flouride in our drinking water
2. The Do-Not-Call list
3. Laws mandating the use of seatbelts while driving
4. Federal requirements re: the certification of physicians
5. Laws forbidding child labor
6. Federal aid to victims of natural disasters
7. Defense of our homeland
8. Agencies that compile regular economic reports showing unemployment, inflation, etc.

Here is my response:

1. Fluoridation: I have some pretty serious concerns about this practice. I recommend this article from John Colquhoun, a dentist and former chairman of the national “Fluoride Promotion Committee” in NZ.  After his appointment to the committee, he did some more research and found scientific evidence that Fluoridated water does not lead to a reduction in tooth decay,  and can actually harm teeth and bones. Bottom line: If fluoride is so good for you, let people put it in their own water instead of having the government do it for you.

2.The Do Not Call List: My political and philosophical beliefs aside, I have to agree that the list makes life easier.

3. Mandatory Seat Belt Law: I have a big problem with this one. How dare the government tell me what I can and cannot do in my car that impacts no one but myself. I might be able to justify a law requiring children be buckled in, but the job of the government is not to protect me from myself. By the way, New Hampshire is the only state remaining without one of these draconian laws.

4. Licensing of Professionals: This is actually done at the state, not the federal level, and I am not a big fan of it. In many cases these “licensing boards” were actually assembled to prevent African-Americans and others from joining certain professions. In addition, by creating their own “kangaroo courts” to resolve disputes with these professionals, they have some reprieve from our common law system which in many cases would favor the consumer. If in any doubt, ask someone who has had to file a complaint with the registrar of contractors.

5. Child Labor Laws: Another one where I probably am okay with federal government intrusion in some cases, although I think that the modern “fair trade” movement can achieve a similar end without creating intrusive government bureaucracy.

6. Federal Disaster Aid: One word—Katrina. The government sucks at this. Wal-Mart (which I am not a fan of) was begging to deliver water to people trapped in New Orleans, but the bureaucrats wouldn’t let them in. Sickening. Let the private charities and companies do it better at no cost to the government.

7. Defense of the “Homeland”: Even the term “homeland” is problematic. It is a creepy term that only slipped into the American lexicon after 9/11.  I agree with the Constitution that a “Well-Regulated Militia” supported by the congress should be responsible for defending U.S. territory. The Constitution does not support a permanent, standing army like we have now, and I can see no reason that we need to have hundreds of thousands of troops stationed in hundreds of countries for no purpose other than to support American Imperialism and private war corporations.

8. Agencies that Compile Regular Economic Data: Unfortunately, these reports are obviously skewed. Does anyone seriously agree with the BLS that inflation was at 6% last year? Have you seen the prices you are paying? COLA increases are based on the BLS numbers, so they intentionally deflate the numbers so that they don’t have to pay higher social security payments.

I know I can be an ideologue, but if these are the things that the government is doing “right” then imagine what is happening with the things they are doing wrong!