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Date: Thu, 8 Oct 1998 19:06:02 -0500 From: Petro <petro@playboy.com> Subject: RE: GPL & commercial software, the critical distinction (fwd)

Given that the textile/garment industry is often one of the first and loudest pro-tarif voices, there might be a government manipulation arguement there as well.

They are now, but your use of an example after the market was regulated to argue that the behaviour of the market is due to being regulated is circular. The garment industy wasn't *always* regulated. Prior to the early 1900's they operated carte blanche regarding regulation. 16-20 hr days, 6 year old employees, no insurance, etc., etc. At some point after the turn of the century the social climate changed in such a way that these sorts of behaviours became unacceptable. It could have been something as simple as a series of newspaper articles that set it off. All that was required was that enough employee/consumers figured the shell game out and screamed bloody murder about it. You want to know what sets government off? It's the realization by the constituancy as a whole that their collective suffering isn't singular. A more recent example, and local to anyone in the US is the air conditioning repair industry. At one time prior to the late 70's and early 80's a license from the state or city to specificaly operate a air conditioning service industry wasn't needed. You simply got a regular old business license and a pick-up. The abuses and failures of the industry led to enough noise and complaints to the government to take a look into the industry. It's what always happens, an industry goes along until it gets big enough to be noticed by larger business. What after all is government but a form of business designed to regulate other businesses and activities... There was no government. Then there were many governments. Then the governments have fight and reduce the number of governments. The remaining governments move into areas that other governments don't or can't claim effectively. Then each government exploits its resources until it's ready for another go around. The issue is human nature and not politics, economics, physical force, etc. It's about power and not freedom. Power means you survive another day. Freedom just means you get another shot at it. ____________________________________________________________________ To know what is right and not to do it is the worst cowardice. Confucius The Armadillo Group ,::////;::-. James Choate Austin, Tx /:'///// ``::>/|/ ravage@ssz.com www.ssz.com .', |||| `/( e\ 512-451-7087 -====~~mm-'`-```-mm --'- --------------------------------------------------------------------