tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7464708.post4039382496605654059..comments2024-03-22T06:05:36.544-04:00Comments on Kids Prefer Cheese: DonorcyclesMungowitzhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02340064320347875601noreply@blogger.comBlogger6125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7464708.post-65551759542907272502009-11-14T22:08:35.658-05:002009-11-14T22:08:35.658-05:00Anon#3 says "we (as a society) have a very ha...Anon#3 says "we (as a society) have a very hard time to committing to not take care of you ex post if you are hurt." I didn't claim it would be easy; I only pointed out the ethical absurdity of asserting a right to control people because you have "volunteered" to be responsible for their health.<br /><br />The absurdity is bound up in the meaning or "we". "We," the voting majority (sort of), have not volunteer to do this; rather, we volunteered to compel others (taxpayers) to do so. This too is an ethical absurdity. Because it's very hard to break this cycle, here we go, careening into the pit named Enslavement of All to All.Tomhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08574355302581451838noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7464708.post-82371985235917722902009-11-13T22:07:22.849-05:002009-11-13T22:07:22.849-05:00I left the first comment. Regardless of all of the...I left the first comment. Regardless of all of the above, I don't see why, from a libertarian perspective, one would use this type of policy analysis to argue that helmet laws should be eliminated. The reason, as I understand it, is that it infringes on liberty.<br /><br />If you use policy analysis to argue that the laws should be eliminated, what happens when policy analysis shows that a different law, for example, one that provides for regulations making sure kids don't choke on toys, is effective from a cost benefit standpoint? Do we accept that law even if it imposes regulatory burdens? From a libertarian perspective, I think the answer is obviously not. But please tell me if I'm wrong. (Really, I'm looking to learn-no sarcasm).Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7464708.post-57127556857435633152009-11-13T09:45:41.523-05:002009-11-13T09:45:41.523-05:00Tom, We (as a society) have a very hard time to co...Tom, We (as a society) have a very hard time to committing to not take care of you ex post if you are hurt. The externality is that the ER staff will feel awful watching you die, and worry that you made time-inconsistent decisions and that what seemed like a good idea ex ante may not be what you'd choose ex post. I don't have a good solution to that, but I don't think you should discount this problem entirely.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7464708.post-14683736307446002992009-11-13T08:03:48.466-05:002009-11-13T08:03:48.466-05:00Jayson thinks there are externalities associated w...Jayson thinks there are externalities associated with this risky behavior. Maybe so, but they are artificial -- "we" have decided to cover medical costs. We could have decided not to and had no "externalities", but we made the decision we made, so there are potentially unlimited externalities.<br /><br />By the way, all you "risk takers," you cycle riders and you smokers and you French Fry lovers, because we are so generous, we <b>own</b> you.Tomhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08574355302581451838noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7464708.post-72154218443489786162009-11-12T22:12:25.094-05:002009-11-12T22:12:25.094-05:00Thank you Mike, it is arguments like this one that...Thank you Mike, it is arguments like this one that made me decide on economics as my major. You are a great inspiration to us all to be as rational as possible. And Anonymous, it would be better to require anyone with a motorcycle to hold insurance coverage to meet the cost of the externalities. Give people the chance to decide if they want to wear a helmet. In Washington you are not even required to hold liability insurance if you own the motorcycle outright.<br />Jayson WAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7464708.post-24747665893451245752009-11-12T21:24:43.676-05:002009-11-12T21:24:43.676-05:00Should people be prohibited from wearing helmets, ...Should people be prohibited from wearing helmets, then?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com