Another exercise in utopian ego-centric social planning using back-of-the-napkin stats that ignores all side effects. There are an infinite number of these pseudo-analyses that can be done, and they're easy because you don't need to collect any hard evidence.
For example, I propose that we start a forced diet and exercise program for the United States. The cost of this program will be negative $25 trillion. It will pay for itself in reduced medical costs. The present value of our Medicare obligations are around $50 trillion, so let's say we save half of that.
I could churn out another 50 of these in 50 minutes. It's easy - just imagine yourself as an all-knowing dictator (and since you already think you know what's best for everybody, you're half-way there!) and then pull numbers out of your ear.
Let's ban alcohol! Net savings = the amount we spend on alcohol each year + reduced health costs. And it worked so well the first time! Heck, let's ban fast food!
Of course, all of these ignore the intrinsic value that comes from not living in a society where some politician has control over all your consumption choices, but Americans long ago stopped caring about their own freedom.
One addition - I would like to point out that smart people are most often susceptible to these Utopian authoritarian fantasies. Mostly they tend to underestimate the complexity of society and overestimate their own intelligence.
Smart _young_ people. I can easily see myself buying this 10 years ago. Right now it's almost reflex to think about side-effects, but only because they bit me in the ass too many times. Also in time you read more and your mind opens more - and not in the usual sense.
Very well put, Prrometheus, but perhaps some more subsidies for electric cars would be in order as a softer way to move in that direction and would be justified as a measure of national defense (cutting off the funding to terrorists and Islamo-fascists by driving down the price of oil) and environmentalism?
In general, I'm all for free market solutions and only free market solutions, but they don't work as well when you're talking about defense and things that are in the commons like air and water.
>In general, I'm all for free market solutions and only free market solutions, but they don't work as well when you're talking about defense and things that are in the commons like air and water.
I understand the "public good" argument in favor of governments, but when I see governments producing so many "public bads" I question whether they are doing any net good at all, let alone enough good to justify their cost.
For example, the United States "defense" department doesn't produce defense, but rather produces useless destabilizing wars on the other side of the globe. Is that worth the $600 billion that we spend on defense each year? Hardly. Congress just passed a $300 billion farm bill to subsidize people with average family incomes of over $200,000. An effective use of my money? I don't think so. They spend an additional $100 billion or so each year to spy on me and make sure I don't get high. I'd like my money back.
Yes, I am an anarchist. It's a pleasure to meet you.
"All right... all right... but apart from better sanitation and medicine and education and irrigation and public health and roads and a freshwater system and baths and public order... what have the Romans done for us?"
Here's my attempt (and boy would it be fun if it actually gets implemented):
Think Green!
Want to save time, money, and the environment? Its easier than you think– just THINK GREEN.
Gasoline consumption in the US is the largest contributor to global warming and one of the largest expenses. Top Economists at Harvard University have determined that the best way to save on gas and cut down on pollution... is ignoring red lights! Only when the path is completely safe, of course, but the gas savings from avoiding unnecessary braking and reacceleration adds up to over $20 BILLION dollars a year!
Being smarter at stop lights and stop signs may only boost mpg gallon by a few mpg (think about it: cars get better mileage on the highway then in the city because of less stopping and starting), but the amount saved can really add up! Here's the math: America buys 150 billion gallons of gasoline each year, and with gas at $4 a gallon an estimated 22 BILLION DOLLARS can be saved by smarter driving, saving every driving American $100 EVERY YEAR. Not to mention the time saved!
Even better, if less gasoline is used the laws of supply and demand force the big oil companies to LOWER THEIR PRICES. So you will need to buy less gas, and will help make it cheaper!
Worried about getting a ticket? If you are not endangering anyone, police will give you a free pass if you remember to mention the Think Green program.
So what should you do? Avoid unecessary stopping and acceleration. If at an intersection where it is safe to go but you see red, THINK GREEN and go!
By each of us doing our part and acting efficiently, we can reduce pollution, save time, and save some serious money at the pump.
So next time you are coming up to an intersection: Think Green!
For example, I propose that we start a forced diet and exercise program for the United States. The cost of this program will be negative $25 trillion. It will pay for itself in reduced medical costs. The present value of our Medicare obligations are around $50 trillion, so let's say we save half of that.
I could churn out another 50 of these in 50 minutes. It's easy - just imagine yourself as an all-knowing dictator (and since you already think you know what's best for everybody, you're half-way there!) and then pull numbers out of your ear.
Let's ban alcohol! Net savings = the amount we spend on alcohol each year + reduced health costs. And it worked so well the first time! Heck, let's ban fast food!
Of course, all of these ignore the intrinsic value that comes from not living in a society where some politician has control over all your consumption choices, but Americans long ago stopped caring about their own freedom.