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#1
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Benevolent govt raises price of milk
Article here
Brief synopsis: milk in the U.S. is not sold on the free market, but is rather subject to a byzantine set of regulations and price controls that artificially raise its price, thus hurting consumers. An entrepreneurial dairyman finds a loophole that allows him to sell milk for less. He outcompetes the government-operated dairy pools, makes a fortune while benefiting consumers, and everyone lives happily ever after. Oh, sorry, I just dreamed that last sentence. What really happens is his competitors spend millions of dollars buying off politicians to write a special law targeted just at him, which is passed without hearing or debate, shutting off his innovation and making losers of the American public. The money quote: "I still think this is a great country," Hettinga said. "In Mexico, they would have just shot me." Is this what we've come to? The U.S. is a great country because they "legally" coerce you out of business, rather than just shooting you? (Hat tip to cafehayek for the story) |
#2
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Re: Benevolent govt raises price of milk
Thank god we have a government protecting us from cartelization.
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#3
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Re: Benevolent govt raises price of milk
Do you think milk would cost less at the retail level if all government controls and subsidies were removed?
Jimbo |
#4
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Re: Benevolent govt raises price of milk
[ QUOTE ]
Do you think milk would cost less at the retail level if all government controls and subsidies were removed? Jimbo [/ QUOTE ] Is this a trick question? |
#5
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Re: Benevolent govt raises price of milk
[ QUOTE ]
Is this a trick question? [/ QUOTE ] I suppose it could be but I just wanted the OP's perspective. Jimbo |
#6
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Re: Benevolent govt raises price of milk
Of course milk would be cheaper.
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#7
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Re: Benevolent govt raises price of milk
[ QUOTE ]
Of course milk would be cheaper. [/ QUOTE ] Are you sure it would be cheaper in the long run? I don't know the dairy market well enough to comment, but their are certainly industries where government subsidies/regulations/price controls serve to stabilize markets and encourage capital investment that leads to lower prices. Even in established markets they can lead to lower prices in the long term when the emergence of dominant players and the possibility of predatory pricing practices threaten smaller producers that still represent a substantial portion of the overall market. |
#8
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Re: Benevolent govt raises price of milk
[ QUOTE ]
Do you think milk would cost less at the retail level if all government controls and subsidies were removed? [/ QUOTE ] Even if it cost more, that would still be a reason to remove government subsidies. Do you see why? |
#9
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Re: Benevolent govt raises price of milk
Hah! Serves that capitalist scum right. Doesn't he know competition hurts everyone involved?
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#10
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Re: Benevolent govt raises price of milk
This is pretty gross. The bad part is the existing system though, not that they shut down people who exploit loopholes.
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