Real "Freedom"
10 December 2006
The Editor, New York Times
229 West 43rd St.
New York, NY 10036
To the Editor:
Writing in support of NYC's ban on trans fats, Dr. Soja John Thaikattil (Letters, Dec. 10) argues that "Experience has shown that consumers do not always use their freedom to make healthy choices. So a regulation that is based on science and in the best interests of the consumer should not be interpreted as an unwarranted intrusion into personal lifestyle choices. Is the freedom to choose unhealthy food that difficult to forfeit?"
Suppose NYC had banned newspapers from reporting on controversial issues. I wonder if Dr. Thaikattil would then write "Experience has shown that newspapers do not always use their freedom to report wisely. So a regulation that is based on science and in the best interest of the public should not be interpreted as an unwarranted intrusion into freedom of the press. Is the freedom to report unwisely that difficult to forfeit?"
Sincerely,
Donald J. Boudreaux
Chairman, Department of Economics
George Mason University
The Editor, New York Times
229 West 43rd St.
New York, NY 10036
To the Editor:
Writing in support of NYC's ban on trans fats, Dr. Soja John Thaikattil (Letters, Dec. 10) argues that "Experience has shown that consumers do not always use their freedom to make healthy choices. So a regulation that is based on science and in the best interests of the consumer should not be interpreted as an unwarranted intrusion into personal lifestyle choices. Is the freedom to choose unhealthy food that difficult to forfeit?"
Suppose NYC had banned newspapers from reporting on controversial issues. I wonder if Dr. Thaikattil would then write "Experience has shown that newspapers do not always use their freedom to report wisely. So a regulation that is based on science and in the best interest of the public should not be interpreted as an unwarranted intrusion into freedom of the press. Is the freedom to report unwisely that difficult to forfeit?"
Sincerely,
Donald J. Boudreaux
Chairman, Department of Economics
George Mason University
Posted by Don Boudreaux on
Thursday August 23, 2007 at 11:55am