: While I agree that there are some cases of abuse, these are highly publicized to whip up public support for a relaxation on safety regulations - predominantly by firms such as those that mount gas tanks in vulnerable locations to save a buck. I also think the *advertising* of those cases draw others to 'have a go'. On Automotive issues I would offer the Chrysler case, given in harsh words in this quotation "Just strap your child in the back seat of a minivan, but make sure you DON'T FASTEN THE SEAT BELT. THEN RUN A RED LIGHT to make sure that you have an accident. "
A good example of the "highly publicized" cases you mentioned. The result - $262million. The Tobacco industry is anotehr example. Lawyers are making billions from that. Oh, did you think it had something to do with welfare?
: "Slavery is the obligation to labor for the benefit of
: the master, without the contract of consent of the servant." (websters, 1828)
: bill:
: Interesting. Your dictionary was apparently written during the period of slavery in the U.S. My dictionary - Websters International 1976 provides the following:
: "1. The owning or keeping of slaves as a practice or institution; slaveholding.
: 2. The condition of a slave; bondage; servitude.
: 3. A condition of submission to or domination by some influence, habit, etc.
: 4. hard, continuous work like that done by slaves; drudgery."
Note the difference. One gives a definite meaning to the term, the other gives a framework which allows almost anything unpleasant to be considered 'slavery', especially #3&4. Relativism eh!
: bill:
: Hell, I wasn't even properly asked!
Exactly. Now if someone was as upset by 'not even being asked' to support some "social welfare" programme I imagine you would be equally insensed at the injusice.
: Yes - and that's the point of Sen's model - it can only be accomplished in a true democracy.
Where everyone agrees.
: "Coercion is much more debilitating than persuasion or even influence. Persuasion is simply an attempt to steer someone's thinking by using logic.
(Thats worth questioning.)
: Influence is the act of applying readily discernible pressure. Coercion seeks to stymie our rational processes in order to make us act against - or, at the very least, without - our better judgement. Once immersed in a coercive system, we act without conscious control. We act automatically, from a place that has little to do with reason." (p. 303)
: It is This place that seems to be the subject of the book, and the deliberate deception of a population for that greatest of purposes - profit - is one of the engines driving us there.
Except the descriptions dont fit with what is happening.
