Best Internet Comment I've Seen Lately

[haroldkirsch]

... at least that goes along with how I think:

I'm all for capitalism, but in some cases there are some things that need to be regulated because of their potential harm. Why is it that an 18 year old can rack up huge debts no problem, but yet there is a seatbelt law forcing him to wear a seatbelt, for his own good? We are quick to outlaw drugs

Comments

[haroldkirsch]

I guess I think in a larger picture than is good for me. The credit card industry takes advantage of us. While people who ruin their credit because they're unintelligent probably deserve to learn the hard way, that's going to also affect the rest of society as the economy falls apart.

The seat belt laws are similar, although in that case it's partly to help lower insurance premiums since seat belts result in less insurance payout. They also help prevent injury to other occupants in the car, depending on who's wearing the seat belt and where in the car they are. If your mother in the back seat wants to leave her belt off and remove herself from the gene pool, that's fine until she smashes into you and kills you.

I'm not sure who should decide what gets regulated. Supposedly, the market will regulate itself. When our 'market' has CEOs who get monetary compensation (in the form of those 'golden parachute' severance packages) when they run a company into the ground, perhaps the market should not be idolized so much :)

[nighteyes]

You know, it's very fascinating how fast people have been into a government bailout over the credit crisis, and the slumping economy. An economic stimulus and now a major bailout for homeowners, all from some of the same people who scream about smaller government in more prosperous times. Indeed, the whole goal of these programs seem to convince people to keep spending money and to enable them to do so. That's not letting the market take it's course. I've found that apparent political disconnect fascinating. We don't want regulation when the times are good, but the moment things turn south, throw the government at it