Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP Posting-Version: $Revision: 1.6.2.16 $; site inmet.UUCP Path: utzoo!watmath!clyde!burl!ulysses!mhuxr!mhuxt!houxm!ihnp4!ucbvax!decvax!yale!inmet!nrh From: nrh@inmet.UUCP Newsgroups: net.politics Subject: Re: Re: Libertarianism and the Police Message-ID: <7800354@inmet.UUCP> Date: Tue, 9-Jul-85 13:02:00 EDT Article-I.D.: inmet.7800354 Posted: Tue Jul 9 13:02:00 1985 Date-Received: Sat, 13-Jul-85 12:27:22 EDT References: <1617@dciem.UUCP> Lines: 34 Nf-ID: #R:dciem:-161700:inmet:7800354:000:1888 Nf-From: inmet!nrh Jul 9 13:02:00 1985 >/**** inmet:net.politics / dciem!mmt / 12:11 pm Jul 6, 1985 ****/ >I don't think >ANYONE is smart enough or has enough time to research whether lemons >from that orchard used dangerous pesticides, AND that this or that >toothpaste isn't just chalk in oil, AND that .... for all purchases. >I want a blanket assurance that my common purchases are going to do >more or less what they claim and are not going to kill me. Private >quality-testing groups are great for the major purchases over which >one is willing to spend some time and effort. But I'd like to have >some time left over after just surviving, for work and for play (and >for sleep, too). In that case, you need only buy from reputable dealers (Sears comes to mind) knowing that should they slip from advertised standards, consumer groups will sue the bejesus out of them. Your anxiety about the dangers of people who may just deal freely, with no oversight, suggests an obvious market niche, somewhat analogous to insurance: quality certification. No big deal -- you just look for the "Ace quality & safety assurance" sticker on the door as you go in a store, and if you don't see it, go elsewhere (just as you might do now should the store not sport the appropriate credit card stickers). >And I don't want to rely on my heirs getting a big >judgment on a lawsuit over the meat that killed be. Or, perhaps, your descendants getting rich because you breathed asbestos dust while working for the government? In other words, you've no better guarantee that meat won't kill you right NOW. If we absolutely MUST have the government sticking its nose into food (quite an image) then why not limit them to an advisory role? Then all you need is to buy only the meat that says "Certified by FDA", but (for example) in New York, you'd be free to buy out-of-state milk (something I understand is illegal right now).