On Tue, 2011-01-18 at 10:43 +1300, IVP wrote:
> > Sure, this product clearly doesn't do what's claimed to those in
> > the know. But where does personal responsibility start?
>=20
> Human nature being what it is, you can't assume that consumers
> will take resposibility for buying what they probably shouldn't or
> that the deluded and the scoundrels take responsibility for what
> they try to sell

Agreed, I can't, and don't assume that consumers will always research
properly. But let my retort be: why should MY MONEY be used for helping
consumers that don't do due diligence? These government agencies are
using MY money to help people who are sometimes (not always) too lazy to
do their own research. Why should I be paying to babysit these
consumers?

> > Where should the government stop controlling stuff and let the
> > consumer take responsibility for what they buy?
>=20
> You'd want electrical goods and medicines to be safe wouldn't
> you ? There has to be some degree of consumer confidence so
> that you don't need to spend all day thinking about, researching
> and scrutinising every purchasing decision

Agreed, in the case where SAFETY is at issue I want a watchdog keeping
an eye over things. But for things where safety CLEARLY isn't a factor:
should my tax dollars go to that?

> If you take responsibility for purchasing a product that doesn't
> or can't live up to claims, then it is also your responsibility to
> make sure that you do something about it.=20

Really? I don't see why? Yes, it's generally good for society to do
that, but I don't see why that "should" be your responsibility.

> Ideally that should
> lead to the product being improved, recalled or withdrawn

Fine, but again, where does it end? Why are my tax dollars used to
"protect" people from doing dumb things?

I'm being devils advocate here, I don't personally believe things are as
black and white as I'm stating here, but I think it's good to keep aware
that nothing is free, and this "protection" that government does costs
us money.

TTYL

--=20
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