Why am I talking about climate denial on a list of economists? Because the refusal by large portions of the public to acknowledge reality poses special challenges for the policy maker. We don't have to live in Miami Beach to make costly misinvestments because we have our heads in the sand. I think today's policy makers have a double duty: they not only have to work out the best policies so that the necessary deep changes in our economy can be implemented, but they must also develop policies to enable the public to see what is in their best interest.
Instead of giving in to the market demand for mind-altering drugs, so that people can stick their heads even deeper into the sand, policy makers should steer against it. I think our goal must be that mind altering drugs can only be prescribed in conjunction with psychotherapy. We need many more psychotherapists and social workers anyway because life is becoming increasingly chaotic and insecure for everyone. Organized crime is a growth industry because of human trafficing (climate refugees) and drugs. Here the goal must be to undermine their influence and sources of income by legalizing drugs. If people choose to shut out reality by staying inside, watching TV and taking alcohol or drugs, we should allow them to do this. This is a low carbon lifestyle (as long as it does not lead to more babies, therefore sex education, contraceptives, and abortion must be readily available). There is no need to force them back into the labor market because in the highly industrialized countries we do not need economic growth any more. And even if they don't pull their weight, our economy can easily support them. But if they want to overcome their addictions, we should welcome them and have resources available and waiting for them so that they can go through the medical procedures which make them sober again. We should also make sure that good TV programs are being aired so that watching TV makes you more intelligent instead of making you dumber. And everyone going through school or college should have obligatory courses about the earth systems. Everyone needs a rough understanding of our home planet as they need a rough understanding of their own bodies. As you can see, I am all over the place. This is my naive thinking how to address these issues. I am sure I am overlooking things and others, who have thought for a longer time than I about health economics, have better ideas. I am putting my own ruminations out there in the hope that others will speak up and share their knowledge and ideas. These issues are not as dramatic as the war in Syria or the crushing of Greece, but they address the root causes, not the symptoms of the increasing disorder in the world. Hans G Ehrbar _______________________________________________ pen-l mailing list [email protected] https://lists.csuchico.edu/mailman/listinfo/pen-l
