Re: [RC] Re: In Defense of Europe's Technocrats

[David R. Block]

Title: ORourke1 Signature

Well, Mike, I imagine that you're not real used to me. I was Libertarian/Republican for most of my life. I've always seen government as too big for its britches, and damned if 2009-2010 did not turn into a marathon growth spurt while the private sector (which ultimately supports the public sector) was shrinking. Both trends show little signs of abating. The unemployment percentage will drop, but not because folks are getting new jobs, but because they have exhausted their benefits and are no longer counted. They are still unemployed. I also tend to be a sarcastic curmudgeon, if not downright cynical. Oh the tales that Billy could tell..... What has always amazed me is that every projection for the tax revenue for various punitive taxes, like tobacco, has not been met. Why? It got to the point that some could no longer support their habit. People react to taxes, usually in a negative fashion, so the projections are almost always high. For government expenditures, it seems that the estimates are always low. That's not a good combination. So I don't really have a whole lot of confidence in government getting the answers right financially. They have a history, and with a $15 Trillion dollar deficit, it isn't very pretty (to be kind). It is somewhat unfortunate that most of my experiences with government have shown all of the competence of the Louisiana DMV (miscalculate your tax and registration and overpay? No problem, we have a slush fund. Underpay? Why you stupid IDIOT!!!) and the compassion of the IRS. And let's see, where did I mention abolishing the FDA? Oh, I didn't, that's why I don't remember it. But speaking of the FDA, I DO wonder why a $7 bottle of insulin in 1983 is now about $200, or more. Or about 28 times the 1983 cost. That's more than the inflation rate, I do believe. My main complaint is with the EPA which is supposed to come out with regulations on DUST. Who are they going to fine for a desert sandstorm?? God? Or will the wind be the property owners fault? Additionally, their own scientists say that Texas should not be held to the standards for interstate pollution because pretty much all of the pollution is dissipated within the borders of the state. The EPA is going ahead and putting Texas under those rules. And the Texas wildfires were not declared a disaster until SOMEONE DIED. This administration has made clear its animus toward my state, so pardon me if I develop a corresponding animus towards this administration and the regulatory agencies which are used against the people of Texas. Government by the people?? My ass. David   "Anyone who thinks he has a better idea of what's good for people than people do is a swine."--P. J. O’Rourke On 11/20/2011 8:42 PM, Mike Gonzalez wrote: As a public administrator, I can tell you that there's always some reason for an extra rule, procedure, required form, or regulation, and it's usually to hedge bets against people who cut corners (ie, some speculated or actual idiot ruins things for everyone else). I generally also dislike the idea of over-regulation and "ass-covering" paperwork, and just punishing the idiots is an alternative, but what do you do in an FDA-less America when some farmer is selling 'mad cow burgers' and tens of thousands are infected before the market "corrects" the situation? -- Centroids: The Center of the Radical Centrist Community <RadicalCentrism@googlegroups.com> Google Group: http://groups.google.com/group/RadicalCentrism Radical Centrism website and blog: http://RadicalCentrism.org