> Larry wrote: > when its in the interests of the public - > transportation, medicare or social security are good examples of this. > > Frankly its a pity that when companies go begging for government > supports - subsidies, loans, special tax breaks etc.
We really diverge on this. On your first point: While I think we need a form of social welfare, that's exactly what I think we should have. After all, Social Security is only needed for people too short-sighted or incapable of properly planning for their retirement. Why not just have welfare for those people and leave the rest of us alone? As for transportation, there is mild need for the government in planning, but not in execution. If a bus line or light rail system can't make money I can see an argument for a mild subsidy, but not much more. Also, light rail is ridiculous in many cities. As to your second point: Tax breaks and subsidies are just the market at work and the ROI is the fact that the company puts down roots and employs people. To expect that this should be a risk-free process is to misunderstand capital markets - do you know of any risk-free investments? If so please tell me what they are! And if you say t-bills I'll say (1.) they're more risky than before, and (2.) that's because they pay out like crap! If you want to make money you have to risk it and that's exactly what government's do (and should do) when they engage in the marketplace. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~| Sams Teach Yourself Regular Expressions in 10 Minutes by Ben Forta http://www.houseoffusion.com/banners/view.cfm?bannerid=40 Message: http://www.houseoffusion.com/lists.cfm/link=i:5:152070 Archives: http://www.houseoffusion.com/cf_lists/threads.cfm/5 Subscription: http://www.houseoffusion.com/lists.cfm/link=s:5 Unsubscribe: http://www.houseoffusion.com/cf_lists/unsubscribe.cfm?user=11502.10531.5 Donations & Support: http://www.houseoffusion.com/tiny.cfm/54
