« Law professors within a university | Main | Soul-shaping cases »
Thursday, July 28, 2005
Energy Bill Nightmare for a Liberation Libertarian
Let me offer a thought experiment, one quick way to spot legislation that might find appeal across traditional political lines. Start with one part libertarian: a general presumption that government fails, and fails more often than markets because it fails to account over the long haul for the corrupting influence of human foibles. Add one part liberation theology: despite the strong prospects for government failure, people should remain alert for ways to use the law as a "preferential option for the poor." Where the law can intervene (especially temporarily) to improve the long-term prospects for the poor (education and a decent and equitable criminal justice system are classic examples), we should not hesitate.
Now imagine what such a Liberation Libertarian might say about the amazing pork-barrel Energy Bill that the House just passed. It fails on every count. It does not prioritize for the poor and it does not recognize the probable long-term failure of government action. Just the opposite: the bill directs tax dollars indiscriminately at every sector of the energy industry, based on a futile hope that some of the extra cash will result in more production and innovation.
Any examples of bills from the current Congress that could appeal to a Liberation Libertarian?
Posted by Ron Wright on July 28, 2005 at 10:13 PM in Current Affairs | Permalink
TrackBack
TrackBack URL for this entry:
https://www.typepad.com/services/trackback/6a00d8341c6a7953ef00d8344f2fd953ef
Listed below are links to weblogs that reference Energy Bill Nightmare for a Liberation Libertarian:
Comments
A very Theodore Roosevelt philosophy. Bully.
Posted by: TomH | Jul 29, 2005 11:17:05 AM
CAFTA.
Posted by: David Bernstein | Jul 29, 2005 12:33:23 AM
The comments to this entry are closed.