Regulation.
Issue:
From the first days of our republic our government has regulated our lives, occupations and businesses - yet regulations are regularly derided as unreasonable impositions on citizens, business and organizations.
Deception:
We regularly hear protests against regulations, protests based on the claims that government regulation per se impedes progress, is unjust and is just plain wrong. This is deception.
Reality:
Regulation is the purpose of government and is necessary for the existence of civilization. It provides for the orderly and reliable conduct of society that ensures a livable existence for us all. Regulation benefits everyone by ensuring safety, fairness, justice and livable communities.
Related essay: Big Government.
Resolution:
Regulations must always be open to examination, debate and revision. Yet opposition to a given regulation must be based on the harm it may do, not on the fact that it is a regulation. Regulations must not be painted with the broad brush that colors all regulation undesirable - because good regulations are essential. When opposition to any one regulation is based in the unreasonable opposition to the practice of regulation per se, the true nature of the opposition is difficult to discern and address.
From the first days of our republic our government has regulated our lives, occupations and businesses - yet regulations are regularly derided as unreasonable impositions on citizens, business and organizations.
Deception:
We regularly hear protests against regulations, protests based on the claims that government regulation per se impedes progress, is unjust and is just plain wrong. This is deception.
Reality:
Regulation is the purpose of government and is necessary for the existence of civilization. It provides for the orderly and reliable conduct of society that ensures a livable existence for us all. Regulation benefits everyone by ensuring safety, fairness, justice and livable communities.
Related essay: Big Government.
Resolution:
Regulations must always be open to examination, debate and revision. Yet opposition to a given regulation must be based on the harm it may do, not on the fact that it is a regulation. Regulations must not be painted with the broad brush that colors all regulation undesirable - because good regulations are essential. When opposition to any one regulation is based in the unreasonable opposition to the practice of regulation per se, the true nature of the opposition is difficult to discern and address.