I think part of the problem you're describing stems from those who expect government to regulate morality by punishing behaviour that is "wrong" or "bad". My own view is that government hasn't the capacity or the brief to determine what is "wrong" or "bad", and should be restricted only to defining and guarding legally protected rights. Murder, burglary, robbery, extortion, blackmail all involve intrusion on rights, and it is right and proper for government to punish those who indulge in them. Drugs, prostitution, etc. do not violate anybody's rights, and are none of government's business.
Corporations can and do violate rights, which is why they are and should be regulated. If they are over-regulated, though, we do ourselves a great deal of harm. Common sense needs to be used here, though it rarely is. |
