I wholeheartedly agree there is too much suing, especially in
America. But I *understand* it. Suing is just a back-door way
to get law (regulation) partially because our legal system is one
of precedents. Congress isn't the only sausage factory where law
is made, the courts make their contributions too.
[Corollary: In our present era of hatred of "big government" and
"government regulation" politicians in general are not going to
come out in support of anything that smells like "big government"
or "regulation". Of course what politicians do behind the scenes
or when the public isn't paying attention is another matter. I
also wholeheartedly agree that too much government involvement
and regulation is not good.]
But for real understanding into the whole situation one has to
look deeper and ask the question, why? And all one has to do is
look back into history for the answer. Large corporations (and
small) - if you find software or firearms companies too hot and
touchy a subject simply look back a little further to the range
wars, the hayday of the railroads, the first oil barons, etc -
have proven over and over again that they will not and cannot
regulate themselves. It is true the free market will almost
always regulate them eventually but that is the problem, the
market can be painfully slow. The question then becomes what to
do in the meantime. Who is qualified to decide when the
cooperation's serving their own interests becomes against the
public interest?
*SOMEONE* has to step up to the plate and have the courage to
draw a line in the sand, and be willing to say, "Uh-uh, you can't
do that." Unfortunately to only entity we have thusfar that can
do it with any sort of effectiveness, and a poor effectiveness at
that, is the government. As I have said in several recent posts
I think people AND corporations should be responsible for their
own actions, but unfortunately many if not most are not. Can you
imagine a chemical company coming forward and saying "We've been
dumping toxic waste in the river for 20 years now and we're
sorry. We're going to pay to clean it up properly and for
everyone in town's medical care for the rest of their lives."
Until that day, or until someone can come up with a better
system, the government (in America) is the entity we've *chosen*
to deal with such matters.
Sorry,
Boanne
--
FROM: Over the hills and far away...
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A Dinosaurs Garden (collection of DOS links and files)
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