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Thought To Ponder There is, in fact, only one solution: the state, the government, the laws must not in any way concern themselves with schooling or education. Public funds must not be used for such purposes. The rearing and instruction of youth must be left entirely to parents and to private associations and institutions. |
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The Tribune Business page reports that the Grand Bahama Human Rights Association (GBHRA) applauds the Consumer Protection Bill causing us to wonder whether this organization understands the nature and importance of free enterprise, the rule of law, and liberty; that human rights are centered on the twin concepts of freedom of self-determination and freedom from tyranny. By endorsing the Consumer Protection legislation the GBHRA appears not to understand its legitimate purpose when it approves laws that deprive some individuals of "rights" whilst obliging others to fulfill said "rights" - which is the clear purpose of the Consumer Protection Bill. The proposed legislation is not a consequence of demand from consumers, rather it is drummed up hype with a message that "somebody is out to get you" and consumers must be protected from the "bad guys" - i.e. business. Such is the agenda for politicians as "entrepreneurs" in the Legislation Business; experts at creating economic and social crises or the perception of crises requiring their "services" to control and punish alleged bad behaviour of individuals in the market place. Of course, politicians never admit that they are the source of the problems. They usually blame corporations in particular, or capitalism in general. Hence, we witness a constant recitation of "crises" manufactured by the state and blamed on capitalism. In this instance the human rights gang single out banks and insurance companies as "rapacious" institutions against which the consumer has no recourse. The economic consequence of the legislation will be to increase already high costs for all Bahamian businesses. Some will find recourse in consolidation with other marginal suppliers, the effect of which is to reduce the number of providers, and thereby competition. While the "rights" guys and the politicians are lauding each other for their "protectionist" ideologies, the Bahamian people are pawns in a socialist experiment already a proven failure. If rights and freedom mean anything, they must include leaving people "free" to make their own decisions about what to buy or sell in the market place. The role of the state is to protect liberty and property, not what is bought and sold, or how, or at what price. Lord Acton took liberty a step further when he said, "The securing of liberty is the highest political end. By Liberty I mean the assurance that every man shall be protected in doing what he believes his duty against the influence of authority and custom and opinion". It is not our intention to diminish the importance of organizations like the GBHRA. However, as in this instance, when they align themselves with policy that weakens the foundations of liberty, the freedom of self-determination and freedom from tyranny, they lose their legitimacy. Many Bahamians are likely to be fooled into believing the Bill protects them. Truthfully it is just more copycat legislation and the means whereby "rapacious" lawyers, waiting in the wings for the $400.00 hourly fees, can maintain themselves in a style to which they have become accustomed. Will they be held liable and prosecuted for "bad advice"? The Nassau Institute Want to blog about this post? Check out WeblogBahamas.com
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Comments
Christopher Lowe - 1 April 2006 11:20- Business pursecution act.
- Make no mistake about it, this act, in all likelyhood will be used to make the business houses pay also for the mistakes of the consumer, as we already foot the bills for the mistakes of government along with the consumer. The right of the business to determine whether a remedy for the consumer is in order, or whether the fault lies with the consumers actions or with a given product or service with the courts as a system of last resort is a global standard. What government legislators must, but will probably never realize is that they write into law what can be done, but fail to write how it is to be done. A small point to be sure, but always evidenced by the arbitrary and often contradictory, and sometimes downright pursecutionist actions of our government ministers. To be sure there are too many uscrupulous
Business people operating in the shadows, but the government approach should be one of facilitation of the wronged party on a case by case basis, and not by cutting loose the hounds or minister, but by making the court system efficient, and, creating a specialized commercial court system, with some level of commercial legal expertise sitting on the bench. Maybe the government push for the business community to be responsible for consumer education / protection should be countered by a business initiative to show the public who the real responsibility lies with, shirk it as they do.
To be sure though, the first battle will show the true purpose of this legislation.
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