On Tue, 08 Oct 2002 07:59:47 Jim Elwell wrote: ... >>I can't obviously answer for John, but to me it would be like: "... Or >>you'll pay the price of continuing to use archaic, passi technology in >>higher taxes (those switching to metric instrumentation would get tax >>incentives for doing so, among potential other government actions...), >>added certification costs (involved in *YOU* calibrating your instruments >>in mandatory metric-only readings, which would be the only officially >>certifiable tools allowed to operate in your country, among other >>federally-controlled regulations), added exporting and operational costs >>(the former due to costs of bringing products in line with foreign >>regulations, the latter evidently associated with using decrepit >>technlogies and the clear long term opportunity costs of not >>metricating...), etc. >> >>I'd like to believe that any sensible businessman would yield to the >>weight of economical and scientific evidence... (true, we'd have the >>burden of demonstrating that, but it shouldn't really be that hard, should >>it?...) >> >>;-) (He, he...) > >The "heh, heh, heh" is mine, Marcus! > >You've simply stated a (nearly) libertarian, free market position here.
:-) I'm glad you see some converging of p.o.v. here. > Of >COURSE the guy should bear the costs of being out-of-step with the rest of >society. And of COURSE any rational businessman would get in step. > Unfortunately, Jim. We do NOT see this very often around. For some reason many, maaany of these guys do things that are not entirely rational. They're also human beings and have their personal opinions on things, too. Often times I DO see this stupid attitude in quite a few of them though. Like the other day when I complained to an idiot selling financial services to Canadians through mass mailing using idiocies of miles, gallons, and whatever else there was. I remember I was extremely polite and well-reasoned with him, only to have him lash me out with American slurs of domination, "that we're big, strong, powerful, blah-blah-blah"! I could hardly believe my "ears". Here it is an obviously powerful man in the business swearing at me and saying things like you wouldn't believe. I was dumbfounded, to say the least... :-( >So why prosecute the guy? Govs have a mandate to secure law and order. Imagine if there were no regulations for stakeholders to follow and adhere to. It would be mad chaos out there! I still think that in matters of science, economics and trade there MUST be rules and regulations that should be followed for the benefit of us all. There can't be any other way, my friend. > Let him bear the burden of using his pound scale, >save the tax dollars to go after the murderers and thieves, and this guy >will soon pass into obscurity, go out of business, or commit hari-kari out >of frustration that no one is paying attention to him! > At first glance what you wrote above sounds reasonable and I share a little bit in your opinion here, but I still think that this should be no excuse for folks to not heed rules and regulations. Though perhaps less important than 'catching murderers and thieves' they also are a part of living in a civilized society, is it not? >Are you willing to give him this option? > Hmm... I'm not sure, but I guess I don't think so. If there is a rule to follow concerning the certification of weight instruments, this should apply to EVERYONE! What and how he chooses to deal with his customers though would be entirely his business. And I honestly cannot care less about that. >...warmest greetings to you, Marcus! Thanks, Jim. It's always a pleasure "talking" or exchanging ideas with you. Marcus Is your boss reading your email? ....Probably Keep your messages private by using Lycos Mail. Sign up today at http://mail.lycos.com
