Yah…

Libertarian’s can always be counted on to get their panties in a bunch whenever anyone tries to put forth the notion that ripping people off is morally problematic.

Nicklaus shoves the Show-Me Institute in front of stupidity like this like superstitious midieval people used to fork the sign of the evil-eye to ward away evil spirits.

As if anyone lends any credibility what-so-ever to a libertarian think tank funded by a millionare with an axe to grind.

Any 12 year old with an internet connection and a rudimentary knowledge of how to use a search engine can write an essay in 500 words or less on why libertarianism has failed in the past, is failing today, and will continue to fail in the future.

And morality is the first point that little Johnny would cover.

Jeez.

Mac
http://www.brownsludge.com

The points made in the quote by Eric Dixon could have come straight out of any of the textbooks on market economics that are used throughout the world other than in countries such as North Korea and perhaps Iran, which “compassionately” distribute poverty to all of their citizens.

Most people believe that the government should play a role BEYOND THAT PLAYED BY PRIVATE INSURANCE in compensating people for losses that they suffer during extraordinary natural events such as ice storms, or man-made events such as 9/11. That involves having publicly-provided emergency services, and perhaps even subsidies for re-building private property (although it’s questionable whether it’s “fair” to subsidize people who did not have private insurance by taxing those who did).

It’s also appropriate for government to perform its normal role in assuring that people affected by disasters get the services that they contract for — for example, that if they pay a contractor to repair their roof, he will actually do so for the price agreed upon.

But it’s not necessary or useful for government to attempt to repeal the laws of supply and demand for dealing with disasters. One doesn’t need to be a die-hard libertarian to recognize that that will only slow recovery efforts and cause people to suffer longer.