The Tale of Two Brothers ... Free Markets vs. Government Mandates

Too often we define a person and their character by how they make their living.  We make assumptions based on no more than the title of a person’s job.  A perfect example of this is how our perceptions of  government bureaucrats  and people in the private sector differ.  Consider this tale of two brothers as an example.

Two twin brothers are born of one mother and father.  They grow up in a middle class neighborhood with solid values and high intellect.  Both receive advanced degrees and graduate with high honors.  One brother makes his mark in business developing software that combined with minor hardware changes significantly reduce pollution emissions from car engines.   His brother joins the EPA (Environmental Protection Agency).  He also attempts to reduce deadly emissions.  His method uses bureaucratic means. He reviews and restricts the use of products and though this process reduces emissions.  Both brothers have the same goals yet they obtain them in very different ways.  One creates value the other destroys it.

Public rhetoric characterizes the brothers differently.  The brother who is the businessman is understood to be greedy, self absorbed and out for himself.  The brother joining the EPA is perceived as selfless and working for the good of society.  The assumption that the brother working in the EPA best serves society is likely misguided.  The motivation of the serrvice provider is of no consequence.  What matters is the value of the product or service to the consumer.  The consumer is king in a free market.  The businessman providing solutions and value make good things happen.  His motivation may be bad but the results are good.  The market drives the good not the person providing the solution.

A government or bureaucratic based solution  requires the good intention of the regulator.  The market based solution does not.  We have choices in the market; we have none with government.  Just as the provider’s motivation does not matter when a market need is met; the buyer may reject the sellers offer for reasons having nothing to do with quality of the service or product offered.  Two free people coming together (or not) for their own reasons is superior to government mandates.  Most government offices usually offer little service or dedication to the customer.  This is because government has a monopoly and the public servant has a book of rules that must be followed regardless of the consequences to the consumer.  The government solution requires the good intentions of the official.  Failure to follow the rules sometimes have criminal ramifications and the consumer cannot go to a different government as he may with a company.  Government solutions make the government the king not the consumer.