tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4477131299817733843.post3215128180418281090..comments2023-05-26T10:44:37.150-04:00Comments on The Bi-Coloured-Python-Rock-Snake: Shamelessly Cribbed Quote of the DayBi-Coloured-Python-Rock-Snakehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10486453438350039642noreply@blogger.comBlogger1125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4477131299817733843.post-51006845210742987322008-08-10T05:27:00.000-04:002008-08-10T05:27:00.000-04:00I largely agree - I still love reading what the li...I largely agree - I still love reading what the libertarians at Cato are publishing, and generally prefer non-interference in other people's matters.<BR/><BR/>The main thing that still makes me a liberal who thinks that government does have a role to play in pushing health and safety because <BR/>a) current government policies of subsidies and spending promote unhealthy habits (for example, corn subsidies and sugar tariffs have spawned an industry pushing cheap HFCS as sweetener, leading companies like Coca-Cola to make the average serving size from 8 oz to 20 oz, while government subsidizes driving and discourages walking by building highways instead of mass transit and bicycle lanes)<BR/>b) In some cases the public is ignorant, misinformed, or outright deceived of some sources of harm. I can't see how the FDA's core functions can be successfully privatized. I also support laws requiring restaurant chains to publish nutrition facts and disclose their usage of trans fats, etc. In most of these cases, I'd prefer transparency over outright bans, though.<BR/>c) Some issues are just collective action problems, and pragmatically speaking, the government might be the most efficient coordinator of aggregate behavior.Shanehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17023519482024334644noreply@blogger.com