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Government is out to control the economy, not fix it
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I would have thought this was a joke if I didn't know better. The following articles appeared side-by-side in the Los Angeles Times:
Tech firms are enjoying their economic stimulus
California appears poised to be first to ban power-guzzling big-screen TVs
This example demonstrates above all why governments, state or federal, should not be in the business of meddling with economics.
As most people know, the economy was in such a dire state earlier this year, that Congress felt a need to pass a wasteful and foolish stimulus package to increase economic spending and activity. Although there are a host of reasons why the entire stimulus package was a waste and a mis-allocation of funds, the above example demonstrates the utter idiocy of governments when it comes to the economy.
The entire premise of the first article is that various consumers and businesses have voluntarily increased spending on computers, gadgets and other electronics, thus stimulating the economy. The key word there is "voluntarily" - in contrast to the stimulus package, which was forced spending on stupid pet projects that many people did not want or ask for.
The first article in particular mentions that this increase in demand by consumers and businesses is "good news for California, home to hundreds of companies that make the software, chips and switches that power many of today's bestselling computer and electronics devices." In particular, California companies such as Intel and Cisco are noting improvements.
The second article, as the title clearly states, is about how the state Energy Commission is working to completely negate the voluntary, naturally occurring improvements in the economy by passing the nation's first ban on large televisions that require a lot of energy.
So let's get this straight - when the federal government gives various handouts to pet projects no one wants in order to "stimulate" the economy, this is a good thing - but when the economy is naturally repairing itself because consumers want to buy more gadgets, televisions, and computers, the government comes in to stop it.
If California lawmakers want the unemployment to remain at 12 percent and have no regard for the jobless, they should just come out and say it. To do essentially the same thing under the guise of environmental concerns is just dishonest.
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