08-09-2014, 10:51 PM | #1 | ||
Coordinator
Join Date: Apr 2005
|
(POL): How do libertarians think on issues like the FDA, EPA, NIH?
While I like to think of myself as someone who falls into the libertarian-minded camp, I can never quite figure out how to argue on the EPA, FDA, CDC, OSHA, research-oriented programs (like the NIH, NASA). How do libertarians and small government-minded people argue on this?
|
||
08-09-2014, 11:02 PM | #2 |
Head Coach
Join Date: Jul 2001
|
They use the method of GBICTBBBHDFCC
|
08-09-2014, 11:23 PM | #3 |
Head Coach
Join Date: Oct 2000
Location: Green Bay, WI
|
libertarian-minded != libertarian. Someone who goes full libertarian is typically going to argue that the free market will self-regulate better than the government can - that there's no need for government agencies to regulate things like ingredient labels, clean air, clean water, all the rest of that jazz - because if a company is being truly destructive in their behaviors, the free market, through the magic of competition, will correct said company's actions because people will buy from/work for the competition instead.
There's all kinds of problems with that mindset, but that's what libertarianism will argue. Somebody who's libertarian-minded may assent that unrestrained capitalism will not have the effect "full" libertarians argue it will, and advocate instead for the least government intervention that will accomplish the aim. A libertarian-minded individual is probably not going to accept the Civil Rights Act as a mechanism to prevent business discrimination against marginalized groups, but might (depending on the individual; this is a spectrum, not a bingo card) accept a limited role for, say, the FDA. A "full" libertarian would likely accept neither. |
08-09-2014, 11:25 PM | #4 |
General Manager
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: Chicago, IL
|
When it comes to the FDA, CDC, etc, they feel they are harmful to the population and free market options work better.
|
08-09-2014, 11:26 PM | #5 | |
General Manager
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: Chicago, IL
|
This is the Libertarian Party's official stance on the FDA:
Quote:
|
|
08-09-2014, 11:27 PM | #6 | |
General Manager
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: Chicago, IL
|
They also don't like the FAA and NTSB despite their incredibly safe track record:
Quote:
|
|
08-09-2014, 11:35 PM | #7 |
Head Coach
Join Date: Jul 2001
|
I try to stay somewhat informed because it's important, but man do I dislike politics
|
08-10-2014, 03:06 AM | #8 | |
Hall Of Famer
Join Date: Nov 2000
Location: Behind Enemy Lines in Athens, GA
|
Quote:
Now there's one I'm not sure the free market can adequately regulate without the force of law behind it. I mean, it seems more likely that it would end up "regulated" by lynch mobs stringing up drivers / company owners after consumers grew weary of accidents involving drivers pulled 48 hour shifts & whatnot. Granted, that's a form of non-governmental regulation but doesn't Libertarianism frown upon outright killing folks?
__________________
"I lit another cigarette. Unless I specifically inform you to the contrary, I am always lighting another cigarette." - from a novel by Martin Amis |
|
08-10-2014, 03:14 AM | #9 | |
Head Coach
Join Date: Oct 2000
Location: Green Bay, WI
|
Quote:
Well, see, presumably trucking companies would start regulating their own drivers in response to limit the amount of turnover as a result of lynch mobs. Invisible hand of the market, yo. |
|
08-10-2014, 10:14 AM | #10 |
Banned
Join Date: Oct 2003
|
Most libertarians would say more research is needed on the subject: It Only Took Half The Wikipedia Article On Libertarianism To Convince Me It Was The Right Political Ideology For America
|
08-10-2014, 01:00 PM | #11 |
College Starter
Join Date: Jun 2001
Location: The Dirty
|
We all know without environmental regulation, the free market would protect the safety of our water, plants, and such. Also, I really trust Pfizer to tell me in an unbiased manner whether their drug's benefits outweigh side effects, you know, the one they spent 400M developing. And let's see who is ready to fund basic science research, I know, Merck is totally willing to do it.
__________________
Commish of the United Baseball League (OOTP 6.5) |
08-10-2014, 01:30 PM | #12 |
Grizzled Veteran
Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: St. Louis
|
They would provide the same answers self identified Republicans or Democrats do when you actually try and box them in to their parties official platform. They don't agree with a lot of the shit the national party platform has (because they are in individual not an organization) but hold more of the Libertarian viewpoints then any other parties.
For example with myself... Do I want to eliminate 99% of the federal agencies on August 11? Not really. Do I find the Libertarian party much better matches my viewpoints on government spending than the Democrats (who at least admit they favor taxes and spending money on programs) and the Republicans (who are in la la land on this issue)? Yes. Repeat with all sorts of issues and you have why I identify Libertarian. I guess you can bring up the Civil Rights act and then claim to have found a huge inconsistency. I will just point out the Cindy Sheehan wing of the Democratic party who can't find fault with Obama's foreign policy as my huge inconsistency or the Republican party on any spending issue... |
Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests) | |
Thread Tools | |
|
|