Comment by chii

1 day ago

> unregulated insurance market; price gouging.

with sufficient competition, it is impossible to price gouge.

So if there is supposed price gouging, then there must be insufficient competition. Therefore, the source of the lack of competition would need to be removed (ostensibly, by gov't - such as increasing business loans so that new insurance companies can be started).

Or, you need to be pragmatic, realize that you're not gods and won't create a perfect system that can't be exploited, and instead tackle the issue from multiple angles while revising your approach as the exploiters attack.

Don't let the perfect be the enemy of good enough.

  • What are you trying to say here?

    • I'm saying that running a government is a lot like running a ship:

      You can't just let the currents and tidal forces ("the invisible hand") run the show unconditionally because even though they can propel you great distances at very low cost, they'll eventually throw you upon the reefs.

      And you can't just let the rowers and tillers (legislators & executive) run the show unconditionally because they'll end up exhausting themselves with little to show for it as they fight against the winds and currents when they should cooperate.

      It's a balancing act that requires some science, some experience, some luck, and a steady hand - and a capable and honorable captain and crew who believe in the mission.

      4 replies →

  • "good enough" assumes a lot about the rules of the game here. Imagine, the game is: "heads I win, tails you lose" and then read your comment.

    • And these kinds of defeatist attitudes are what allow the bad guys to win.

      You either fight the good fight, or roll over and die. Your choice.

      1 reply →

  • Or, the market lets the gods do their work, rather than the government acting like one.

    —esoteric capitalism

I mean, there's sometimes simply not enough capital available to support the creation of further competition in a sector. And government subsidies in the form of cheap business loans are sort of robbing Peter to pay Paul. You're simply allocating capital from one sector (the one being taxed) to another