Regulations are what protect us

Reader Steve Quick (Fence Post, March 26) tells us in no uncertain terms that come November, the South will rise and smite the Yankee federal regulators who have wrecked the economy by sticking their unconstitutional noses into the extractive industries and agribusiness and denying the insurance industry the right to profit from people’s illnesses. “Leave us alone!” he says, implying that our economic collapse is all the government’s fault.

This Yankee has to wonder, however, if this charge bears scrutiny. Was the oil well blowout in the Gulf really due to government regulation? Might not stricter, sharper regulation have actually prevented the blowout and the subsequent shutdown of oil pumping there? Does enforcement of regulations on coal mining that prevent the explosions that kill miners really hurt the economy — as opposed to the short-term profits of owners? Does Mr. Quick really not understand that high health insurance costs are due to insurance company profiteering?

There is something reckless and irresponsible about an attitude that demands to be allowed to do whatever it feels like doing, come hell or high water. This attitude produces environmental catastrophes, waste of resources, financial scandals and massive injustice. Blaming your troubles on “outsiders” won’t really compensate for the destruction this causes. The South would do better to take the chip off its shoulder and admit it needs to be regulated for its own good just as the rest of us do.

Anthony Nelson

Rolling Meadows