The Federal Government Acts To Promote The General Welfare
In yet another story of E. coli contamination Jim's Market and Locker an Iowa firm recalled ground beef produced between August 31 and September 1. This effects 5200 lbs of product. According to reports no illnesses have been associated with this beef.
Some libertarians do not support the Food and Drug Administration as they state that that the consumer should be responsible for his/her own life and health. I think it is nonsense since the vast majority of citizens I know do take responsibility for their own life and health to the extend they believe is necessary whether or not the government does anything and the government is better equipped to handle these situations.
It is true that consumers can sue companies that cause them damage by negligence but that requires someone to take them to court and fight it out with them. That in itself has problems such as excessive rewards and the idea that most companies will hide their guilt rather than face a lawsuit in the first place. It is also cleaning up the mess after it happens instead of preventing the damage in the first place and it is easier to prevent a person from dying from E coli contamination than to bring them back to life after they already died.
In short it comes down to the fact that government regulation is probably the best choice. I say probably because among other things I have not heard the cost versus benefit analyst yet. The federal government does have the authority to regulate interstate and international commerce according to Article 1 Section 8 of the U.S. Constitution. The states on the other hand have the authority to regulate commerce within a state and the two governments should work together as allies to promote the general welfare in those areas where there different spheres conflict.
This does not mean I back the Food and Drug Administration as it sits now because I find its formation is unconstitutional because it exercises legislative and judicial powers which are forbidden to the executive branch of government. It needs to be abolished and a new organization needs to be established which enforces legislation passed by Congress as well as investigate possible ways to improve the health of the people. In short it should become a law enforcement agency instead of regulatory agency.
Source 1 is account of recall of ground beef due to E. coli contamination.
Some libertarians do not support the Food and Drug Administration as they state that that the consumer should be responsible for his/her own life and health. I think it is nonsense since the vast majority of citizens I know do take responsibility for their own life and health to the extend they believe is necessary whether or not the government does anything and the government is better equipped to handle these situations.
It is true that consumers can sue companies that cause them damage by negligence but that requires someone to take them to court and fight it out with them. That in itself has problems such as excessive rewards and the idea that most companies will hide their guilt rather than face a lawsuit in the first place. It is also cleaning up the mess after it happens instead of preventing the damage in the first place and it is easier to prevent a person from dying from E coli contamination than to bring them back to life after they already died.
In short it comes down to the fact that government regulation is probably the best choice. I say probably because among other things I have not heard the cost versus benefit analyst yet. The federal government does have the authority to regulate interstate and international commerce according to Article 1 Section 8 of the U.S. Constitution. The states on the other hand have the authority to regulate commerce within a state and the two governments should work together as allies to promote the general welfare in those areas where there different spheres conflict.
This does not mean I back the Food and Drug Administration as it sits now because I find its formation is unconstitutional because it exercises legislative and judicial powers which are forbidden to the executive branch of government. It needs to be abolished and a new organization needs to be established which enforces legislation passed by Congress as well as investigate possible ways to improve the health of the people. In short it should become a law enforcement agency instead of regulatory agency.
Source 1 is account of recall of ground beef due to E. coli contamination.
posted by Kerwin | 7:46 PM
1 Comments:
Most people do take responsibilty for their health, but they only have so much control on what is sold. I agree a new organization needs established, one that is more in line with the Constitution.
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