Dysfunction Spreads Like a Virus

 

Adam Smith’s formula for prosperity, “peace, easy taxes, and a tolerable administration of justice,” is within human competence to deliver. As government expands its scope beyond its competence and as politics creeps into more and more facets of life, our society becomes more contentious and more dysfunctional. People and organizations are forced to lobby government out of self-defense and factions work to subvert government’s coercive power to advance their own ideas and interests through force. Truth becomes the first victim in this war of subversion.

We’ve seen this in the political battle over the coronavirus. In a pandemic, information saves lives, but disinformation has become the rule as the parties seek to spin the crisis for political advantage. The efficacy of masks, social distancing, medical treatments, and vaccines is determined by political affiliation rather than by medical science.

The countries that responded best to the coronavirus pandemic tended to be those in which the government gave the public as much information as possible and then let individuals, companies, and private organizations determine how to act. Our government did the opposite. It churned out politically skewed disinformation and tried to micromanage people’s actions.

People on both the left and the right want to expand this dysfunctional model even further. Both call for government-led industrial and energy policy, both call for more government intervention in failing government schools, and both call for more government intervention overseas. None of these will be improved by actions made on the basis of lies that will be spun as political parties, lobbyists, and factions jockey for position.

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  1. DonG (skeptic) Coolidge
    DonG (skeptic)
    @DonG

    Richard Fulmer: The countries that responded best to the coronavirus pandemic tended to be those in which the government gave the public as much information as possible and then let individuals, companies, and private organizations determine how to act.

    It is best when cost/benefits decisions are made on an individual basis and nobody knows the costs and benefits better than the individual.

    • #1
  2. Unsk Member
    Unsk
    @Unsk

    The Democrats Pandemic Disinformation machine seems determined to greatly expand our government’s control over our lives to prepare us in their eyes of a hopeful preparation when the Government takes total control.  Enforcing Control is paramount, followed by destroying Trump and followers  by whatever means necessary; saving lives has taken a seat in the back of the bus. Lives of the proletariat are just pawns to be used to their greatest advantage to spread revolution. 

    • #2
  3. Jim McConnell Member
    Jim McConnell
    @JimMcConnell

    Unsk (View Comment):

    The Democrats Pandemic Disinformation machine seems determined to greatly expand our government’s control over our lives to prepare us in their eyes of a hopeful preparation when the Government takes total control. Enforcing Control is paramount, followed by destroying Trump and followers by whatever means necessary; saving lives has taken a seat in the back of the bus. Lives of the proletariat are just pawns to be used to their greatest advantage to spread revolution.

    That it so true; and we see examples of it, large and small, every day.

    • #3
  4. Susan Quinn Contributor
    Susan Quinn
    @SusanQuinn

    Richard Fulmer: The countries that responded best to the coronavirus pandemic tended to be those in which the government gave the public as much information as possible and then let individuals, companies, and private organizations determine how to act. Our government did the opposite. It churned out politically skewed disinformation and tried to micromanage people’s actions.

    The fact is that all our political leaders see themselves as the elites and all of us, no matter which party we belong to, are deplorable. I’m not saying that every politician believes that, but actions speak louder than words.

    • #4
  5. Ansonia Member
    Ansonia
    @Ansonia

    Richard Fulmer, 

    Which were the countries that responded best to the coronavirus pandemic ?

    • #5
  6. Richard Fulmer Inactive
    Richard Fulmer
    @RichardFulmer

    Ansonia (View Comment):

    Richard Fulmer,

    Which were the countries that responded best to the coronavirus pandemic ?

    Here are the best, from best to worst: Hong Kong, Taiwan, Vietnam, Iceland, Slovenia, New Zealand, Thailand, South Korea, Singapore, Australia, Austria, Germany

    Source:
    https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/covid-19-coronavirus-pandemic-countries-response-1.5617898

    Hong Kong was an interesting case because “its” country, China, lied.  However, the people of Hong Kong were (a) used to China lying, and (b) used to viruses coming out of China.  People therefore immediately started wearing masks and social distancing when they heard the news from Wuhan.

    • #6
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