That's What Members of the Species Do
16 May 2007
Editor, USA Today
Dear Editor:
Otis Howard complains that "senators who got millions of dollars in contributions from the pharmaceutical companies over the years should be ashamed of themselves" (Letters, May 16). Alas, blaming politicians for taking campaign contributions from parties affected by legislation is akin to blaming polar bears for eating seals: it's in the nature of both beasts to behave in these ways.
Truly shameful people are those who condone open-ended regulation by government. Officials possessing the power to destroy billions of dollars of wealth with the strokes of their pens will inevitably be feted, seduced, bribed, and otherwise lobbied by those whose wealth is at stake. Persons who expect otherwise should be ashamed of themselves.
Sincerely,
Donald J. Boudreaux
Chairman, Department of Economics
George Mason University
Editor, USA Today
Dear Editor:
Otis Howard complains that "senators who got millions of dollars in contributions from the pharmaceutical companies over the years should be ashamed of themselves" (Letters, May 16). Alas, blaming politicians for taking campaign contributions from parties affected by legislation is akin to blaming polar bears for eating seals: it's in the nature of both beasts to behave in these ways.
Truly shameful people are those who condone open-ended regulation by government. Officials possessing the power to destroy billions of dollars of wealth with the strokes of their pens will inevitably be feted, seduced, bribed, and otherwise lobbied by those whose wealth is at stake. Persons who expect otherwise should be ashamed of themselves.
Sincerely,
Donald J. Boudreaux
Chairman, Department of Economics
George Mason University
Posted by Don Boudreaux on
Wednesday January 9, 2008 at 9:10am