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There is a popular notion that government is
needed to solve pressing social problems which exist because
of 'free market failures'. This is the fundamental argument
upon which government effort is based. People
who believe this contend that social problems like poverty,
for example, exists because the market ignores poor
people and can not eradicate poverty. Thus, they tell
us, the state must tax and regulate to overcome these
market failures and eliminate poverty.
For many people, not only is the 'free
market' unwilling to care for the weak, but the strong take
advantage of the weak who are not able to prosper in an
atmosphere of greed and competition. 'The people' need
government to work for the 'common good' in the 'public
interest'.
This assumption - that the government taxes
and regulates for the common good - is accepted by many as
gospel. It is assumed. It is given. It is self evident.
It need not be questioned. After all, 'the people' elect
the government. So naturally, the government looks out
for the people who allow it to exist. But is this
really so?
Few question how well such collective
efforts have actually worked. Enough instances of government failure
have been reported for some to question this assumption. Indeed,
is it not important for us all to question our basic
assumptions from time to time? Perhaps money
in the common treasury is like fish in the common sea
- anyone who can will harvest to extinction.
These pages attempt to help
remind folks of such government failures. Here you can read
about them. Here you can ask yourself if it is true that
government solves problems. Here you can ask yourself if
government actually does work for the common good.
Here you might wonder if your taxes are all spent
in the common interest and whether giving up your liberties
to government regulation actually solves the problems
you expect them to better than the free market.
Click here to
read about government failures.
Here you can also participate in pointing
out instances where you know the prevailing assumptions are
not true. You can share examples of how government is
not fulfilling the promise. You can point out instances
where people who work in government or with government
do not operate in the public interest or work
for the common good.
Click here to
submit an example of government failure.
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