Hello friends. First a qualifier...
I'm one of the few Libertarians who believes that when there is a large project, possibly nationwide, to be undertaken and there is no profit motive then the government may have to step in and get involved. Examples of where I think the government got involved include and helped the nation...
The National Highway System
Boulder Dam
NASA
Grants For Higher Education
But I've been wondering about the government's success in eliminating polio. Obviously it was for a great good. But when should the government get involved in such a "nationwide" project and when should it be left to a "for profit" enterprise? For example, without government investment and scientific research there would be no internet. But what about government investment and research into things like alternative fuels? It comes off as something that would definitely pay off in the long term by "operating at a loss". What about government research into medicines?
Thoughts? Ideas? Thrown rotten tomatoes?
I'm one of the few Libertarians who believes that when there is a large project, possibly nationwide, to be undertaken and there is no profit motive then the government may have to step in and get involved. Examples of where I think the government got involved include and helped the nation...
The National Highway System
Boulder Dam
NASA
Grants For Higher Education
But I've been wondering about the government's success in eliminating polio. Obviously it was for a great good. But when should the government get involved in such a "nationwide" project and when should it be left to a "for profit" enterprise? For example, without government investment and scientific research there would be no internet. But what about government investment and research into things like alternative fuels? It comes off as something that would definitely pay off in the long term by "operating at a loss". What about government research into medicines?
Thoughts? Ideas? Thrown rotten tomatoes?