Andrew Sullivan has chosen a quote for the day. I suppose it is lazy of me to take it as my own quote for the day. But it's a really great quote. So, you know, read it.
"The maintenance of a free society is a very difficult and complicated thing. And it requires a self-denying ordinance of the most extreme kind. It requires a willingness to put up with temporary evils on the basis of the subtle and sophisticated understanding that if you step in to try to do them, you not only may make them ... worse, but you will spread your tentacles and get bad results elsewhere ...
The argument for collectivism, for government doing something is simple. Anybody can understand it. If there's something wrong, pass a law. If somebody is in trouble, get Mr. X to help him out. The argument for a free - for voluntary cooperation, for a free market is not nearly so simple. It says, you know, if you allow people to cooperate voluntarily and don't interfere with them, indirectly through the operation of the market, they will improve matters more than you can improve it directly by appointing somebody. That's a subtle argument, and it's hard for people to understand," - Milton Friedman, back in 1975.
Half the restaurants in NYC have already eliminated transfats. And almost 200 restaurants in the Pittsburgh area have already gone smoke-free voluntarily. Mr. Friedman was not talking about these things directly of course. He was more concerned with Social Security and the minimum wage in the interview. I have no idea where he stands on public health issues. But I do think his words are worth considering.
And looking through the interview, I think I would add this to the discussion:
Friedman: The do-good reformers who have sold these programs to the American people, telling them things that they knew were not true. ... One of the things that always shocks me is how people whom I would trust - maybe not with my wife, but certainly with my pocketbook -- in their private capacity whom I would never question the integrity of, will in their public capacity, because they believe it's in the best interest of other people -- lie to the American people.
Sound familiar? Does to me.
OFF TOPIC BUT IMPORTANT. . .
On April 17, 2006, the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette editorial board decided: "It's time for an unapologetic Preston to go!"
On October 13, 2006, Joe Preston continued to demonstrate a lack of remorse telling the editorial board that he, in fact, will not return the pay raise.
It's this simple: Mr. Preston is one of the lone symbols of this controversy who still believes a nod-nod, wink-wink from the Governor, local political leaders and the media can protect him from any further public ridicule.
In short, Mr. Preston has recently demonstrated unprecedented arrogance suggesting an attitude and confidence that are embarrassing.
Todd Elliott Koger For State Representative District 24
http://koger.7p.com
http://toddelliottkoger.blogspot.com
Posted by: kogerfriend | October 19, 2006 at 11:25 PM