Our country provides for many exceptions to the free market and capitalism without regulation. I wanted to take a closer look at some of them to see why they exist and open up the forum to discuss if they should exist and how the answer to this question relates to other possible government regulations and public ownership.

Drugs: Some restricted to distribution by Doctors, others 100% off the market.

Military: 100% socialized, owned and operated by the state. Highly inefficient (just ask my dad, he helps implement the budget for the base he is stationed at)

Water: Particularly in areas suffering from drought, the free market is restricted and water is rationed. In addition, my region, for example, sets specific usage regulations on the Colorado River such that Nevada, California and Arizona have a specific maximum amount of water they can consume each year. In addition, there are regulations imposed to guarantee Mexico a certain amount of water each year. This is perhaps the most obvious example of the bystander concept where regulation must be imposed to guarantee the lower states water and protect lower states from the control of the upper.

Roads: Most roads are maintained by the state

Lawyers: Representation in court is recognized as a right beyond economic means to provide your own lawyer.

Police: 100% socialized, owned and operated by the state.

Emergency Healthcare: Everyone, regardless of the ability to find an insurance card on them or not, is entitled to universal emergency healthcare.



Personally, I think the water issue is the most telling example of why certain regulation and public ownership should be in place. As I've said before, the ownership of the resources necessary for life equals the ownership of the life itself. Imagine several wealthy residents buying up 90% of the water while others are out of the market. Imagine the USA and northern states using all of the Colorado river water while letting the river dry up as it enters Mexico (which has happened, and has resulted in a major negative economic impact of natives in this region of Mexico) The ability to own without restriction the rights and use of this water equals the right to kill (let die) or practically enslave everyone else dependant on the resource, often without even your knowledge that you are doing it.

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True knowledge exists in being aware of what you don't know.

Privatized police, I am shuddering just thinking what that would be like...

000....

'Emergency services here...'

'I need the police, their is a burglar in my house'

'Please type in your credit card pin after the beep...'

I'm more imagining "Police Insurance Cards" where your rate goes up each time you have to call the police.

'I see you have a pre-existing criminal problem. That will be $1,000 extra a month for police services. If you move to a nicer area of town and stay bugular free for 3 years, your previous burgular attempts will drop off your record and your rate will return to normal'

I know what aboynamedsue would say... don't put yourself in a situation where you would need the police...

__________________
True knowledge exists in being aware of what you don't know.