Monday, March 1, 2010

State Mandates Invite Growth of Special Insterest Lobbying

Dr. Paul Hsieh of Freedom and Individual Rights in Medicine (FIRM) has made an important observation on the consequence of government mandates.

[T]he presence of a mandatory curriculum serves as a giant magnet for special interest groups seeking to have their particular viewpoint represented in the curriculum. It turns the educational curriculum into a permanent political football to fought over by the various interest groups.

Hence, there is a parallel with the lobbying that occurs under a system of mandatory health insurance. If everyone is required to purchase health insurance (as they are in Massachusetts), the government must necessarily determine what constitutes an "acceptable" package. This creates a giant magnet for special interests to have their particular pet benefit included in the mandatory package.


Read the rest here.


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