Jim Phillips wrote:
> Larry Boyd wrote an excellent reply about the government "meddling"
> in air safety

Is your rate still $5 for comments such as this, or have your prices gone up?
 :)

> Given our government's dismal track record of running up huge
> deficits and huger bureaucracies to deal with everything, I
> was really worried when they (the Clintons) wanted to meddle
> in health care.  Socialism, here we come!

This is referred to as the "Capture Theory".  The general idea is that
government initially intervenes for very valid reasons (e.g., in health care,
during the depression contributions to charities dropped, so they were unable
to care for those in need.  Additionally, many of the people who used to give
became "those in need".).  Then a group, be it the government or another group
benefiting from the regulations, "captures" the regulations so that the group
will continue to benefit in the future.  Often, they also attempt to make
necessary changes to increase their benefits (e.g., the higher the import
tariffs on autos, the more American auto makers benefit).

One of the primary advantages to a democracy is that we have the freedom of
speech and the ability to vote.  The citizens general allow things to only go
so far (e.g., the Clinton health care proposal was killed and time limits were
added to welfare benefits).

> As I hope you realize, this is 100% my opinion!

Big "Ditto"!!!

LB