The home inspector who was here doing a wind mitigation report said that Rick Scott is trashing the agency that oversees building codes.So developers can build anything they want, as cheap as they want, and when it blows away the insurance companies are going to find ways not to pay for shoddy construction.
That’s the libertarian idea; competition weeds out the corporations that make bad products.
It makes sense. Theorically.
BUT somehow, corporations still manage to stay afloat even though they make lousy products.
How? Through use of false (or borderine false) advertising that sells an image instead of a product and creative use of the law (among other things, by suing anyone who dares to point out the product’s flaws or any potential competition with less money).
Bruce’s libertarian ideas are being applied in China. If several hundred babies die from drinking tainted milk, people will stop buying that company’s milk. Problem solved! With no meddlesome government interference! Yay! And if all of the milk companies are tainting their milk, people can just stop drinking milk! Problem solved again! And if you are one of those pussies who doesn’t want your child to die in the interests of market research, all you need to do is acquire a bunch of lab equipment and test every bottle of milk before you feed it to your child. Yay! Problem solved with no government expense or intrusion! The fact is that government regulation is far, far, better, more efficient, and less destructive than punishing companies AFTER they commit crimes and kill people. Please, give me as much government regulation as it takes to protect me from the profit-driven private sector.
Bruce, a number of years ago, “This Old House” did a fix-up on a house built in Florida in the 20’s. It had weathered many storms and hurricanes. The "new and improved " (like none) Florida building codes allowed junk to be built. THOSE houses blew away, and the junk flying off those damaged the old house. States DO have independence to write code, but when developers take over the process, like in Florida- you get junk, dangerous junk. Also, Florida toll roads are a ripoff and getting worse, in addition to the sales tax, gas tax, and other taxes to get rid of “income tax”. Folks, especially middle income, get to pay way more, and get less for it. That IS the “Republican way” in action! Cut needed services to the people, and increase spending on bombs and CEO profits- yup.
Bruce, did misread your first— the point is we DO need codes, because, what’s really frustrating in America today is that doing a lousy job does NOT mean you won’t get future work any more. This is especially true in the building trades since “flipping” houses has meant more people hiring contractors just to make things “salable” not “stable”. When codes are also relaxed to a ridiculous level, then “less than scrupulous” contractors DO flood in to take advantage.
Patjade about 13 years ago
Think of all the money we’re saving on the deficit! /sarcasm
rockngolfer about 13 years ago
The home inspector who was here doing a wind mitigation report said that Rick Scott is trashing the agency that oversees building codes.So developers can build anything they want, as cheap as they want, and when it blows away the insurance companies are going to find ways not to pay for shoddy construction.
CorosiveFrog Premium Member about 13 years ago
That’s the libertarian idea; competition weeds out the corporations that make bad products.
It makes sense. Theorically.
BUT somehow, corporations still manage to stay afloat even though they make lousy products.
How? Through use of false (or borderine false) advertising that sells an image instead of a product and creative use of the law (among other things, by suing anyone who dares to point out the product’s flaws or any potential competition with less money).
ARodney about 13 years ago
Bruce’s libertarian ideas are being applied in China. If several hundred babies die from drinking tainted milk, people will stop buying that company’s milk. Problem solved! With no meddlesome government interference! Yay! And if all of the milk companies are tainting their milk, people can just stop drinking milk! Problem solved again! And if you are one of those pussies who doesn’t want your child to die in the interests of market research, all you need to do is acquire a bunch of lab equipment and test every bottle of milk before you feed it to your child. Yay! Problem solved with no government expense or intrusion! The fact is that government regulation is far, far, better, more efficient, and less destructive than punishing companies AFTER they commit crimes and kill people. Please, give me as much government regulation as it takes to protect me from the profit-driven private sector.
Dtroutma about 13 years ago
Bruce, a number of years ago, “This Old House” did a fix-up on a house built in Florida in the 20’s. It had weathered many storms and hurricanes. The "new and improved " (like none) Florida building codes allowed junk to be built. THOSE houses blew away, and the junk flying off those damaged the old house. States DO have independence to write code, but when developers take over the process, like in Florida- you get junk, dangerous junk. Also, Florida toll roads are a ripoff and getting worse, in addition to the sales tax, gas tax, and other taxes to get rid of “income tax”. Folks, especially middle income, get to pay way more, and get less for it. That IS the “Republican way” in action! Cut needed services to the people, and increase spending on bombs and CEO profits- yup.
Dtroutma about 13 years ago
Bruce, did misread your first— the point is we DO need codes, because, what’s really frustrating in America today is that doing a lousy job does NOT mean you won’t get future work any more. This is especially true in the building trades since “flipping” houses has meant more people hiring contractors just to make things “salable” not “stable”. When codes are also relaxed to a ridiculous level, then “less than scrupulous” contractors DO flood in to take advantage.
TheRedHatt about 13 years ago
patjade you’re sooooooooo right !!