Comments on: democracy in america I: the platonic ideal (EDITED and UPDATED) http://www.evolution-nextstep.com/archives/3376 take the next step Sat, 06 Mar 2010 18:41:02 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.1 hourly 1 By: j.d. http://www.evolution-nextstep.com/archives/3376/comment-page-1#comment-12273 j.d. Mon, 26 Mar 2007 15:32:50 +0000 http://www.evolution-nextstep.com/archives/3376#comment-12273 [<em>This comment has been deleted by its author.</em>] <!--The problem is that the Parmesan law doesn't even accomplish any of what you say. It has nothing to do with food safety or even quality. It simply limits the number of producers who can use the name to those in a specific region of Italy. A cheese whose material composition and means of production are identical to that of "Parmesan" but is made in Wisconsin may not be sold in Europe as Parmesan cheese. There is even a debate as to whether U.S. producers have to change the name of their cheeses. "The Jungle" exposed appalling working conditions. One could argue that the bourbon issue is an issue of food safety. The Parmesan law is neither of those things. --> [This comment has been deleted by its author.]

]]> By: Josh http://www.evolution-nextstep.com/archives/3376/comment-page-1#comment-12272 Josh Mon, 26 Mar 2007 15:14:45 +0000 http://www.evolution-nextstep.com/archives/3376#comment-12272 I'm responding at length to this elsewhere, but I want to raise a question about Parmesan cheese. Ever since Upton Sinclair exposed the deplorable conditions in meatpacking plants, the US government has inspected food products and placed minimum standards on various things. Bourbon, for instance, must be produced in the US, the mash must be be at least 51% corn, distilled at less than 160 proof, and aged for at least two years in new, charred oak barrels. Am I less free because of that definition? I suppose I'm less free to sell wood alcohol as bourbon, but I'm more free to buy bourbon since I know what I'm buying. The government increases net freedom by ensuring that commercial information is accurate. This is a small point, but I'd think you could find a Europe-bashing example that didn't undermine your point about the importance of information to a free society. I’m responding at length to this elsewhere, but I want to raise a question about Parmesan cheese. Ever since Upton Sinclair exposed the deplorable conditions in meatpacking plants, the US government has inspected food products and placed minimum standards on various things. Bourbon, for instance, must be produced in the US, the mash must be be at least 51% corn, distilled at less than 160 proof, and aged for at least two years in new, charred oak barrels.

Am I less free because of that definition? I suppose I’m less free to sell wood alcohol as bourbon, but I’m more free to buy bourbon since I know what I’m buying. The government increases net freedom by ensuring that commercial information is accurate.

This is a small point, but I’d think you could find a Europe-bashing example that didn’t undermine your point about the importance of information to a free society.

]]> By: Joel http://www.evolution-nextstep.com/archives/3376/comment-page-1#comment-12271 Joel Mon, 26 Mar 2007 14:00:01 +0000 http://www.evolution-nextstep.com/archives/3376#comment-12271 Wow. I should just turn this project over to you. Good stuff. Are you going to post a link to it in my comments? Please? Wow. I should just turn this project over to you.

Good stuff. Are you going to post a link to it in my comments? Please?

]]> By: El Borak http://www.evolution-nextstep.com/archives/3376/comment-page-1#comment-12269 El Borak Mon, 26 Mar 2007 13:01:43 +0000 http://www.evolution-nextstep.com/archives/3376#comment-12269 "Again, the proliferation of information is a necessary but not sufficient condition of liberty." Exactly. I wish I could say so much in so few words... “Again, the proliferation of information is a necessary but not sufficient condition of liberty.”

Exactly. I wish I could say so much in so few words…

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