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A necessary evil
Author: TriSec    Date: 06/19/2010 11:58:36

Good morning.

I'm about to head down the street to Tom Lyons tire with my ride for our annual shakedown from the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.

Yep...time for my vehicle inspection.

Funny thing, that. You and I pay a mountain of fees just to drive a car. I've got License, Registration, Inspections...and of course I paid a sales tax when I bought it, and often drive on a toll road to get to work.

I haven't heard the teabaggers whining about that level of government intrusion on our god-given right to take to the open road!

But what happens when there isn't any automotive regulation?

http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_Bc77sdkuuEI/R3JEj4We9jI/AAAAAAAAATA/3BcBYsfMtvk/s400/pinto.jpg


The Ford Pinto.



http://www.uniquecarsandparts.com.au/images/years/1959/wrecked_corvair.jpg


The Chevy Corvair.


Libertarians would argue that regulation isn't needed; the market would 'self-adjust' and put the companies making unsafe products out of business.

It's true that the Pinto and the Corvair are no longer manufactured, but I just looked out my front window and counted 3 Fords and a Chevy within eyeshot, so that didn't work. Never mind the cost in lives for the manufacturers to actually stop making the cars.

Of course, it's not just the automotive industry. Has everyone read Upton Sinclair's "The Jungle"? Trust me, you will never look at processed meats the same way again. It should come as no surprise to anyone that those lessons weren't learned either.

I've read and heard more than once that a definition of insanity is the endless repeating of certain actions, hoping for a different outcome for once.

I guess that's the only explanation for this:

http://s.ngeo.com/wpf/media-live/photos/000/213/cache/gulf-oil-spill-killing-wildlife-flying-pelican_21356_600x450.jpg

 

2 comments (Latest Comment: 06/19/2010 18:23:05 by trojanrabbit)
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Comment by livingonli on 06/19/2010 16:51:06
If the cons had their way and brought us back to the Gilded Age, we would have even more of this which is the scary part. Maybe they should go to Somalia to see no taxes and regulation in action.

Comment by trojanrabbit on 06/19/2010 18:23:05
Looks like my weekend plans are shot to hell. All of a sudden I just have this feeling of blah and all I want to do is be in bed.



Of course, if things get worse, because it's the weekend my only option is the emergency room, cuz the doctor's office closes at 3. The nurse on duty is going to call me when she leaves her shift at 5.



I suspect I ate something that isn't agreeing, and I'm sure I'm worked up with worry now as well. Need something to calm me down. HERE LUCKY!!!