(November 14, 2016 at 8:57 pm)Whateverist Wrote: I take your point, but the thinking is that at least that small number of people we're investing that power in are answerable to us, unlike corporations.
Not to entirely dismiss your point, I'm just thinking out loud now for the sake of discussion. Corporations and big businesses do have power which seems to me to be a different kind of power than governmental authority. A company cannot fine you not buying their product or throw you in jail for not owning their stock. They can and will seek to dominate their markets and drive away competition. And they do have accountability to their investors and customers. If they are inefficient they lose investors. If they make shitty products people won't buy them.
There is of course a role for governments to preserve market access and efficiency. They also have a place in protecting the public against fraud, hazardous products, and pollution. And guard worker safety, etc. By way of contrast, the government can pick and chose favorites. Agencies can tailor regulations to benefit some businesses at the expense of others. They can reduce the value of your land with the stroke of a bureaucratic pen. In short, a big business can limit your opportunities but a big government can take what it wants by force. IMHO
