Originally Posted by
UIUCpilot85
The government runs nothing efficiently? You have to be kidding me. Why not privatize the police? Why not the fire department too? Isn't our military technically the government? Why not let the market decide what is an acceptable price for public protection. You're telling me NASA is an ad-hoc operation?
The idea that the market handles EVERYTHING better is ludicrous at best. Yes, generally, businesses are more efficient than the government. Yes, there are governmental institutions that are corrupt and inept. But, can you honestly watch CNN/FOX/MSNBC and truthfully believe that the economic models of countless banks, the big 3 automakers, and others have been operating on sound priniciples?
Now, I'm no governmental scholar, but I hardly think having rules constitutes socialism. I'm inclined to agree that regulation such as it was pre-1978 isn't good for the public or the industry. I do think, however, that a structured system of some sort operated under the principles of free enterprise with an abundance of competition is advantageous in comparison to the wild-west-last-man-standing mentality. Clearly, that has "been time and time again proven to run nothing efficiently"
Military, Fire Department, Police Departments, and Hospitals are more or less a social need. One of the primary goals of this Country is to keep it's borders secure and it's citizens safe. In times of emergencies, the help and support provided should be symmetrical in every corner of this country.
I don't agree with you, not on the basis of whether regulation is a good or bad thing, that is. I think there is an inherit need for regulation, in general, in this country, however the system NEEDS to work. My disagreement with you is not in terms of Regulation, as much as it is with Enforcement.
Point in case, the Financial Markets did not collapse as a result of too much, or too little regulation. The markets collapsed because out Federal Government was not doing their job and never ENFORCED the Regulating Mechanism that had been in place over the past 30-50 years.
Anyway you look at it, our federal governments is not fiscally responsible, I'm not going to get into whether it was the Democrats or Republicans because in the end it won't solve our problems as a nation. Our government has inflated the dollar to it's limit, we have an gigantic deficit, and corruption inundating all levels of our government. It's a sad day when the people of a nation can't trust their government, and I for one have lost my faith and trust in our current government.
Point is, better Enforcement of our Regulation before we can even consider Expanding More Regulation.