Saturday, April 5, 2008

Industry and government

It is no surprise that entrepreneurs and big businesses would be against any significant levels of government regulation. After all, it is the nature of businesses to want to innovate and compete without hurdles adding cost to their operation. However, while at work, I still find myself slightly annoyed that my colleagues often crack anti-regulatory jokes about governmental efforts to protect consumer welfare and rights. Since I work for political interests representing the health care sector, individuals frequently express dismay about FDA proposals and regs (as well as foreign regulatory authorities on the same subject).

Having worked on the Hill, I'm quite aware that government agencies have a nasty little habit of imposing unwarranted burdens on citizens and businesses. But I also wouldn't want the FDA to disappear and return to the 1920's, when Chicago slaughterhouses were putting out bad meat to the consumers. I'm sure my colleagues wouldn't want to expose the public to unnecessary health risks.

I don't have a point here. I'm not even sure if I'm making sense. I'm just venting because I'm one of the few Democrats in an office full of adamantly pro-business people.