Amazing the hatred Ms. Rand inspires in some, and the desire to attack the messenger, rather than the message. I'm a bit thrown off by the fancy words in a couple posts; "Atlas Shrugged" is reserved for those of us limited to plain, literate English.
Randism is easily explained Reno, it's current revival is fueled by simple human greed , which has grown popular in our society's fiscal snafu right now. Her writings insist on a stance of self made men without government oversight, operating in an open market, where any such restraint applied is painted socialist.
This is what is commonly refered to as Libertopia, an ideology if applied to the electrical trade would mean no licensure, permits, NEC, NFPA, IAEI, OSHA, EPA, inspections, inspectors, etc. This would , in essesnce, be survival of the fittest anarchy. I'll go out on a limb and claim it'd fall on it's face fairly quick
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Another irony- one that has to be experienced to be appreciated- is the contrast between Reno, and my current area, near the Missouri bootheel.
At first the two cannot be more different: an involved permit process with multiple fees, vs. a near absence of permitting and inspections.
This may be heresy, but I fail to find any substantial difference in the quality or safety of the work I've seen, comparing the two areas.
Of course, the current situation -where the Reno area has essentially closed down their building departments, and filled the functions with park department personnel- helps to confirm that the REAL reasons for codes lie in control and revenue, rather than a concern for safety.
Your point is well taken, in that a capitalist system only supplied capitalist remedies. I don't think anyone here will argue that the safety community , along with all it's perphrial ride alongs, are anything less than a business in America. I don't think anyone will argue that the aultrism suffers because of that. I do think there's a debate in it's efficacy due to it, and could cross state lines offering anecdotals like anyone else opining here.
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Contrast the assumptoins of many in the inspection trade to the attitude voiced here by many, both within government and without: it's absolutely improper for government to think it has any right to tell a man what he can do with HIS property.
Now, Sparky, if I understand your post, that makes Arkansas something of a utopia. I'm pretty sure you're the first to say that!
Utopia, like Libertopia is the facade of idealouges Reno. IMHO, too little bueacracy tetters on anarchy, too much fascism, the trick is an acceptable balance which allows a society to tick without subscribing to either extreeme
