Separation of Work & State
Wendy McElroy makes a string of good points about homeschooling in this column from Foxnews.com. Certainly, state education has failed the least of these among us.
But here's another idea. Everyone knows that crime is out of control. Crime is usually traced to poverty, lackluster education, and lack of opportunity. So let's open up some opportunities. Specifically, let's liberalize labor markets and legalize drugs.
You can't walk from my apartment to the MetroLink station without passing one or more groups of teenagers who are just standing around, no matter what time of day it is. Most of them are poor, some of them probably deal drugs. They share several common characteristics: they have no interest in school, they are shut out of the labor market by workplace regulations, child labor laws, & the minimum wage, and crime is usually their most profitable option.
Some would surely contend that we need to increase funding for schools. We've tried that, and it has failed miserably. Labor market liberalization and drug legalization would do two things: labor market liberalization would allow millions to enter the workforce where they can earn income, acquire skills, and accumulate wealth. Drug legalization would eliminate the enormous profits that someone with very high risk preference can earn by dealing drugs; moreover, it would eliminate the crime that goes with it.
In summary, we have a problem. Poor street kids are shut out of civil society and become career criminals. The solution is easy: let the market work.
Comments (4)
Yes, I do agree to let the markets work. There needs to be a complete separation of school and state. End the government run, tax funded, socialist, welfare state, baby sitting centers. If individuals regardless of age wish to make money, they should be allowed to do so without government interference.
Published: February 25, 2004 12:09 PM
Let's see. For a couple of centuries we've had the separation of church and state (at least in theory). Now we have movements in favor of the separation of school and state; the separation of art and state; and, now, the separation of work and state.
All very good ideas, but what's left for the state to do? :-) :-)
Published: March 2, 2004 9:00 AM
I fail to see where you think the current situation has a problem. Dealing drugs is capitalist activity par excellence, so these teenagers are participating in market activities. They even hire their own defense agencies out of the profits.
Published: June 6, 2005 9:50 AM
John, government intervention, i.e. drug prohibition, has skewed the recreational drug market and the incentives in the market. So, yes, it is a market, but current prices cannot truly be called market prices.
Published: June 6, 2005 2:03 PM