What If I Don’t Want It?ByRaymond D. Matkowsky
Over the last few decades people in government have tried to have the population accept changes that were not wanted. They believed they knew better. They did not. Problems, that it seems, officials never considered were identified immediately. The administrations did not do their “due diligence” analysis but the populous did. This scenario has been repeated many times in the past and probably in the future. Let me give some examples.
Metric System
Most of the world operates on the metric system. America, originally a British colony, operated on the British system for over 250 plus years. This change was an attempt to placate exporters. There was no benefit for the average person. However, the average persons would pay for the enormous cost of the switch. For example, every fuel pump in the nation would have to be altered. Machinery that measured unit output would need modifications. There would not be a U.S. business not affected by this transition.
It was business not individuals that put the final nail in this proposal’s coffin. Specifically, the construction industry pointed out that they would need to keep dual inventories because new materials could not substitute for replacement parts needed in preexisting construction.
Real-ID
Real-ID is turning into a real dreadful dream for both the U.S. Federal and state governments. The Real-ID law was written in response to the 9-11 attacks. It was not recommended by the 9-11 commission. It was supposed to take effect in 2008. The deadline has been extended yearly for sixteen years. It is now scheduled to go into effect on May 7, 2025. To date, it only has a 56% adoption rate. I doubt that it could even come close to 100% by May 7, 2025.
The American Civil Liberties Union has come out against it and says it imposes significant burdens and expenses on state governments. These are expenses that people and businesses will pay.
Even without Real-IDs there hasn’t been one terrorist attack in the years since 2008. Its preventative goal is moot. It is a second layer on top of an ineffective “NO FLY LIST.” The passage of time has proven this law has no merit and is a waste of time and resources.
The burdens can affect your business in many ways, especially those needing to travel to conduct business smoothly. Financial burdens will be imposed. It may not always be wise to pass these expenses on to customers. Businesses should make it clear that the concept of Real-IDs serves no purpose and needs to die.
Electric Vehicles
Electric cars have been advertised to people as the savior of the environment. It is true that electric cars have no emissions per se, but they are far from being pollution free. Their production involves many of the dirtiest and resource draining processes known. Manufacturers have also been less than truthful in their sale’s pitch. Several governments have fined manufactures over deceptive advertising, false range claims, and environmental impact.
One of many problems is that government authorities have bought the pitches “hook, line and sinker.” Again, they have not done their “due diligence”. However, electric cars as exist now are not the future for everyone.
Some officials seem to think that range anxiety is the only thing holding the car back. The public has identified more than two dozen problems that officials have overlooked. It normally takes about 30 years from conception to get a consumer product. If one assumes that all these problems can be corrected simultaneously (doubtful), then electric vehicles will be ready for mass production in 2054. Not before. There are also the unexpected consequences.
Electric cars, as exist now, are a crisis waiting to happen. The public is right. The politicians are wrong.
Businesses’ Responsibility
Politicians are not asking the right questions. They are not even questioning. Just as with U.S. entry into the metric system, it is up to businesses to set them right
If you have any comments, let us know. Email me at rdm@datastats.com. We will try to print it in our next newsletter.
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