The Editor,
Re. "Want a smarter government? Focus it" (As I See It, Opinion, The Tri-City News, Oct. 10).
If all government's goals were economic, then devolving most functions to the marketplace would be a logical step. But, as we know, there are a lot of things we expect our government to do where the free market is not going to solve our problems.
The courts and both government and corporate administrators can try to put monetary value on life, happiness and suffering. But you will find much disagreement on those valuations.
For example: How much would you be willing to pay in taxes to ensure that your freedom and rights are protected? We pay, in taxes and fees for the courts, police and the military. We all gain some benefit out of those investments but you will find much disagreement about whether those amounts are too high, too low or just right.
The same goes for health care, education, environmental protection, broadcast regulation, ferries, land use and, yes, auto insurance. All of these have some degree of government involvement in B.C., and all of these involve some degree of government interference in the marketplace, which happened because, for monetary or non-monetary reasons, people, not always a majority, wanted it.
Go and watch some episodes of the British TV show Yes, Minister to remind yourself that democracy is a messy and inefficient business because the people - sometimes capricious, inconsistent and unwise - are supposed to be in charge.
Richard Hollins, Coquitlam
