On the nature of Gov't 2

Posted by Matt Rose Wed, 04 May 2005 15:53:34 GMT

I monitor a lot of technical blogs, to keep up with current events in Linux. Occasionally something really profound comes out. I especially like this paragraph from one of the AbiWord hackers.

the full article is here It is supposed to be an infrastructure that we as a society can build on. In no small part, it should be an enabler. It is supposed to do the hard things that we can't do individually, but are collectively achievable. Sometimes we need to do the right thing, even if the right thing isn't the cost-effective thing. To this end, government should sometimes be a check against the "free" market and sometimes a carrot that leads the market to the ends society desires.

  1. derek 1 day later:

    I couldn't agree more...

    When the rights of everyone are incumbered, no one is free. That's what a lot of enterprises are doing by limiting choice and attempting call all of the shots. Let's take a good look at telcos all in a fit because cities want to do municipal wireless. These are the same companies that provide subpar services to urban and rural areas. And what are the elected officials doing? They are taking bribes (excuse me, lobbies) and looking the other way.

    Innovation and the public good should take precedence over making a dollar when they find themselves in direct opposition and government's role is to make sure that happens. They are doing the direct opposite.

  2. Matt 2 days later:

    Thanks for reading.