Too often, the only security regulators provide is a false one
If you haven’t read the investigative piece about day-care safety reports hidden from the public, printed in Sunday’s AJC and available online, you really should do so. Among other things, it’s a reminder that government oversight of an industry often creates nothing more than a false sense of security for that industry’s customers.
Day cares in Georgia (and most other states, I’d be willing to bet) must have a state-issued license in order to operate. It has to be renewed annually. A parents might inspect the day care personally before enrolling Junior there. But it would be typical, and reasonable, for a parent to assume the day care meets certain minimum standards if its license was granted and later renewed.
Instead, the AJC investigation found, more than a third of the day cares in Georgia had been deemed — by state regulators — out of compliance with state health and safety standards at least once in the past four years. The vast majority of them, even those with multiple years of non-compliance, were allowed to stay open.
Yet, the state did not publicly release the reports detailing these businesses’ shortcomings. (The AJC obtained them through an open records request.)
While some of these failures might be on minor points, some of them seem pretty major to this parent, including failure by some day cares to run background checks on people before hiring them. That’s a pretty basic thing: Even my relatively small church runs background checks before letting parents volunteer in the children’s ministry.
So, the state requires a license for a day care to operate and checks up on day cares to make sure they are complying with state laws — but then doesn’t close down the worst offenders and doesn’t tell parents about the problems so that they can decide for themselves.
That’s the same kind of false security that played out in the recent financial meltdown. One doesn’t have to get into the merits of repealing Glass-Steagall restrictions or passing the Community Reinvestment Act to recognize that banks’ risk was artificially and irresonsibly heightened because of faulty ratings of the mortgage-backed securities and a flawed international regulatory regime (Basel II), which not only allowed but incentivized banks to load up on these riskier-than-believed investments.
The old line still applies: Caveat emptor. And you’ll be more likely to follow it if you also heed the warning against believing government can regulate and monitor the risks or problems out of life.
– By Kyle Wingfield
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209 comments Add your comment
HDB
January 23rd, 2012
12:13 pm
UGA 1999
January 23rd, 2012
10:26 am
“Would you want the government tell your business how to operate?”
jconservative asked you this: “Would you want the government to tell your daughter how to live her life?” I’m going to expand on this even further:
Would you want the government to tell you what you CAN eat…where you can live….whom you can marry…..how many children to have…….?”"
There are a myriad of issues that government has NO business getting into….but conservatives want the government to get into issues that only THEY approve of (marriage, abortion, discrimination…..)but not what the nation NEEDS (banking/environmental/business regulation……)
The question I ask this this: What is it that you REALLY want…a return to the 50s….or should we work on making the PRESENT better for EVERYONE???
Lil' Barry Bailout (Revised Downward)
January 23rd, 2012
12:14 pm
jconservative: Would you want the government to tell your daughter how to live her life?
———
So you have a problem with the government telling your daughter she can’t murder the child next door, or dump toxic chemicals into our drinking water?
HDB
January 23rd, 2012
12:17 pm
Somewhere over there
January 23rd, 2012
12:11 pm
“Stop lying….”
No need to lie to you……my experiences are different from your simply because we are TWO DIFFERENT PEOPLE!! The problem is that many on this blog HAVE attempted to marginalize and demonize my experiences……and the attempts speak volumes!!
As Bruce Hornsby said: “That’s just the way it is…….some things never change…..!”
Aquagirl
January 23rd, 2012
12:18 pm
Tell me how Roy Barnes contributed to the housing mess.
I knew that would swoosh right over your head.
UGA 1999
January 23rd, 2012
12:19 pm
HDB….Make it better for everyone??? That is impossible.
UGA 1999
January 23rd, 2012
12:20 pm
Aquagirl….you are right your ignorant posts make no sense. Thanks for proving my point.
HDB
January 23rd, 2012
12:20 pm
Lil’ Barry Bailout (Revised Downward)
January 23rd, 2012
12:14 pm
“So you have a problem with the government telling your daughter she can’t murder the child next door, or dump toxic chemicals into our drinking water?”
So….are YOU saying that you’re FOR environmental regulations?? Did you have an epiphany??
Lest you forget….it MAY be against the law to murder…but no one can STOP you from murdering someone. The main deal is that one has to pay the CONSEQUENCES for his actions in the case of criminal activity!!
Somewhere over there
January 23rd, 2012
12:21 pm
“The problem is that many on this blog HAVE attempted to marginalize and demonize my experiences”
No one on this blog or any other even knows who you are. No one has seen your resume.
Again, get over yourself and stop lying.
HDB
January 23rd, 2012
12:23 pm
UGA 1999
January 23rd, 2012
12:19 pm
“HDB….Make it better for everyone??? That is impossible.”
I don’t think it is……
“Some people see things as they are and ask ‘Why?’; I dream of things that never were and ask ‘Why NOT?’” — George Bernard Shaw
Ronnie Raygun
January 23rd, 2012
12:25 pm
Kyle, You point out some brilliant shortcomings in government regulation, but then spin off he road and into a ditch by claiming that calls for less government regulation.
What the problem is, and even you complain about it, is the fact that there were no consequences for unsafe day cares. You even ask why these unsafe day cares are allowed to stay open. Wouldn’t the solution be to start putting some teeth into these regulations so that unsafe day cares are shut down or fined?
Sorry Kyle, but you no one to blame for this but your fellow conservatives. They have been pulling the teeth out of the enforcement of every business regulation for over 20 years.Somehow the conservative mindset seems to be that and penalty on business is unnecessary, the “markets” will solve everything. Sure a few more children will be killed or kidnapped every year, but as long as businesses aren’t burdened by regulations, everything is fine, right?
Don't Tread
January 23rd, 2012
12:25 pm
“should we work on making the PRESENT better for EVERYONE???”
Your departure would be a good first step. Bookman needs to jack up his post count.
HDB
January 23rd, 2012
12:26 pm
Somewhere over there
January 23rd, 2012
12:21 pm
Don’t have to lie……I HAVE revealed much of myself here…and HAVE been marginalized by many here!! Just because you choose not to believe doesn’t mean that it didn’t happen!!
Is your mind so closed that you can not see others’ experiences as unique, personal…and factual?? The gist of the conservative mind……………
Lil' Barry Bailout (Revised Downward)
January 23rd, 2012
12:28 pm
Libtards are so weak of mind–they can’t discern between Big Government and anarchy. Must be all that publik skoolin’.
Don't Tread
January 23rd, 2012
12:28 pm
Some blog software that ignores the “caps lock” key would be another good step.
HDB
January 23rd, 2012
12:29 pm
Don’t Tread
January 23rd, 2012
12:25 pm
I’m on BOTH……I like to learn BOTH sides of an argument so that I can make an informed decision…..unlike many here…….
Steve - USA (I support "None Of The Above")
January 23rd, 2012
12:30 pm
How about actual repercussions for not following the regulations.
HDB
January 23rd, 2012
12:31 pm
Lil’ Barry Bailout (Revised Downward)
January 23rd, 2012
12:28 pm
Conservatives are so weak of mind–they can’t discern between anarchy, tyranny, and necessary governmental control. Must be all that lack of public exposure and animus towards those unlike them…..
It goes that way too, you know…….
Somewhere over there
January 23rd, 2012
12:31 pm
“Don’t have to lie……I HAVE revealed much of myself here…and HAVE been marginalized by many here!! Just because you choose not to believe doesn’t mean that it didn’t happen!!
Sounds like you need some self-esteem and a life, HDB. If you let some faceless blogger get under your skin….
“Is your mind so closed that you can not see others’ experiences as unique, personal…and factual?? The gist of the conservative mind……………”
Ok, you have this problem with “assuming” things about other people. You also are a hyper-partisan person who needs to get a life.
Somewhere over there
January 23rd, 2012
12:32 pm
“I like to learn BOTH sides of an argument so that I can make an informed decision…..unlike many here…….”
You have very low self-esteem. Your comments prove it.
Somewhere over there
January 23rd, 2012
12:32 pm
“Conservatives are so weak of mind”
I rest my case.
UGA 1999
January 23rd, 2012
12:33 pm
HDB….I like your optimism, but we cannot even all get along on a pointless blog. What makes you think that ANYTHING the government does would make everyone happy?
Somewhere over there
January 23rd, 2012
12:34 pm
“Your departure would be a good first step. Bookman needs to jack up his post count.”
Bookman would love HDB and his low self-esteem. It would fit in well with all the other left wingers.
Dusty
January 23rd, 2012
12:34 pm
Silly people! You sit here all morning doing nothing but trying to outdo and dooodle another blogger. Could you refrain long enough to make some sensible suggestions?
Republicans want efficient and sensible government, including minimal regulations. That is for state or national
Republicans realize that in this world, no regulator can watch something 24/7 what with changes in weather, employees, parents, children, costs, inferior products, etc.
Republicans wish parents to be RESPONSIBLE for their children and the choices they make for them. They are the major caretakers and not regulators. They should be making their own inspections.
The best choice of all is to take care of your own children. Perhaps you could do without some “fun things” as your children are the most important “thing”. If that is not possible, consider your children as precious gold. That might help you make decisions.
Now make your own suggestions, bloggers. Got any new ideas?
Somewhere over there
January 23rd, 2012
12:35 pm
“.I like your optimism, but we cannot even all get along on a pointless blog.”
Probably has something to do with his “victim card mentality.”
Somewhere over there
January 23rd, 2012
12:35 pm
“You sit here all morning doing nothing but trying to outdo and dooodle another blogger.”
It’s fun.
Somewhere over there
January 23rd, 2012
12:36 pm
“Republicans want efficient and sensible government, including minimal regulations. ”
Some do, some don’t. The ones that don’t include the likes of John Mccain.
Lil' Barry Bailout (Revised Downward)
January 23rd, 2012
12:36 pm
HDB: It goes that way too, you know…….
—-
Actually, it doesn’t. When a libtard hears a conservative criticize government regulation, they essentially accuse them of wanting anarchy, as jconservative did. When a conservative hears a libtard criticizing government regulation, they cheer and start to think there might be hope for America after all!
ragnar danneskjold
January 23rd, 2012
12:42 pm
Agree, exactly right. We are in a regulatory recession now.
MarkV
January 23rd, 2012
12:43 pm
Kyle,
What you are doing in this article is a common, but flawed practice. You point out deficiencies of something, in this case particular regulations. Ok, you are probably right there. But then you generalize: “And you’ll be more likely to follow it if you also heed the warning against believing government can regulate and monitor the risks or problems out of life. “ What do you mean by that? Who claims that any regulation eliminates completely any risk or problem (“out of life”)? (Incidentally, I am not sure what you mean by monitoring risk out of life, which is what you statement says.) Are you saying that no regulation does anything to risks and problems?
HDB
January 23rd, 2012
12:43 pm
Somewhere over there
January 23rd, 2012
12:31 pm
Have GREAT self-esteem; I love a good debate……..and I’m FAR from being a victim!!!
Far from being hyper-partisan….but I have yet to find a reason to vote FOR the GOP!!
UGA 1999
January 23rd, 2012
12:33 pm
“HDB….I like your optimism, but we cannot even all get along on a pointless blog. What makes you think that ANYTHING the government does would make everyone happy?”
“A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step” – Confucius.
I can see the increments that the government has done to try to make things better for everyone….but people are prone to resist change….in some cases, violently!! We must find a way to get past the resistance…..and get closer to the truth!! In some cases, the liberal/progressive paradigm has the answers; in others, the conservative; and in others, a hybrid of the two……..
Somewhere over there
January 23rd, 2012
12:46 pm
“Far from being hyper-partisan….but I have yet to find a reason to vote FOR the GOP!!
No, you’re hyper-partisan.
With that said, I’m doing arguing with you about you.
Somewhere over there
January 23rd, 2012
12:46 pm
“So, the state requires a license for a day care to operate and checks up on day cares to make sure they are complying with state laws — but then doesn’t close down the worst offenders and doesn’t tell parents about the problems so that they can decide for themselves.”
That’s usually what happens with any government run program.
HDB
January 23rd, 2012
12:49 pm
Lil’ Barry Bailout (Revised Downward)
January 23rd, 2012
12:36 pm
LBB, I’ve always desired EFFECTIVE government…..government that works in the best interests of the people. In order to do so, a regulated marketplace is required so that it works for ALL pople. Are there regulations that go too far?? Yes. Are there regulations that need to be removed? In some cases, YES! Does an UNREGULATED market work?? NO!! We’ve seen what happens when an unregulated/unenforced market goes amok…..note the financial near-collapse!!
From my observations, conservatives wis to remove ALL regulations and let laissez-fare economics be the rule….but we all know that that won’t work! It’s the regulations that keep the market VIABLE for all…….
HDB
January 23rd, 2012
12:54 pm
Somewhere over there
January 23rd, 2012
12:46 pm
I’m not arguing…..I’m INFORMING!! Your assumptions are based on a false premise……
At one time, there were GOPers that I could see myself voting FOR…but the present breed of GOP doesn’t know that people like me are CONSTITUENTS!!
“So, the state requires a license for a day care to operate and checks up on day cares to make sure they are complying with state laws — but then doesn’t close down the worst offenders and doesn’t tell parents about the problems so that they can decide for themselves.”
“That’s usually what happens with any government run program.”
That’s what happens when the investigative and enforcement arms of government are CUT by the idea of de-regulation!! How can one close a bad child care center if the can not investigate and enforce statutes?? How can the pertinent data be given to parents so that an informed decision can be made?? If they can do the same thing for food inspections, they can do the same thing in day care centers…………….
Lil' Barry Bailout (Revised Downward)
January 23rd, 2012
1:06 pm
From my observations, conservatives wis to remove ALL regulations
———
See, there you go again.
MarkV
January 23rd, 2012
1:14 pm
Dusty January 22nd, 2012 @11:07 pm. 11:17 pm
Dusty,
You should try to read into my words something mysterious. When I wrote “I do not have a dog in this fight,” I meant simply that in this Republication nomination struggle I do not favor anybody, because I do not find any of them suitable for replacing Obama. And when I added “Not yet,” it was the reference to the obvious fact that when the Republicans chose their candidate, it will be him against Obama, and I will have “a dog in the fight.”
You think I am worried about the next election? Of course I am. This could be a long discussion, but let me give you just a simple illustration. Many commentators have agreed, and I cannot dispute it, that if the economy keeps improving here, as the signs show it might, Obama will have a good chance of being reelected. One thing that could sink the economy here would be a financial collapse in Europe. There is, however, very little what Obama can do about Europe. Thus Obama might lose because of something that is not his doing. Who on his side would not worry?
“Perhaps you would like to tell me why you have such confidence in Obama. You haven’t said so directly but most obviously you do not like Republicans.”
I can say it directly, I do not like Republicans, if by “Republicans” you mean the current party and its actions in Congress, or the current candidates. (I can easily like a particular person who is a Republican.) As I indicated by my “dog in the fight” comment, I mostly refrain from commenting on their relative strengths and weaknesses, except when I watch or hear something particularly notable.
Why I have such a confidence in Obama? I suppose you mean why I prefer Obama. That would be too much to add to this post, but I will be glad to tell you later. But be careful that you do not get set up or recruited!
HDB
January 23rd, 2012
1:14 pm
Lil’ Barry Bailout (Revised Downward)
January 23rd, 2012
1:06 pm
Question: Are not conservatives for the elimination of the EPA and environmental regulations…particularly dealing with the oil industry?? Are not conservatives railing against the new Consumer Financial Protection Agency?
UGA 1999
January 23rd, 2012
1:16 pm
HDB…..Short answer….Elimination (NO) Overhaul (YES)
HDB
January 23rd, 2012
1:27 pm
UGA 1999
January 23rd, 2012
1:16 pm
You can’t overhaul what hasn’t been put into place yet!! There has to be an initial iteration!! The EPA is doing what’s necessary to preserve the environment……and the standards may appear stringent to some, but it does NOT stymie economic growth! I challenge that it ENHANCES economic growth by challenging innovation to come up with market solutions………………….
The Consumer Financial Protection Agency protects the consumer from financial industry largesses….and could prevent a market colapse from re-occuring!! You can’t protect the consumer from HIMSELF…..but you can against the industry……….
UGA 1999
January 23rd, 2012
1:37 pm
HDB…..nope your assumption is wrong. It does no challenge by innovation to coincide witht the regulations. In many cases it has PROVES to cause companies to downsize, shut down or not jump into the industry at all.
How can you say you are for free markets and democracy but still support the CFPA. This is EXACLTY why Obama has lost 2 million jobs since taking office!
HDB
January 23rd, 2012
1:41 pm
UGA 1999
January 23rd, 2012
1:37 pm
Under Bush, we were losing 750K jobs/month!!
I support consumer protection because corporate largesse works AGAINST the average consumer!! Granted, the preponderance of those agencies in the financial meltdown were non-banking mortgage concerns, but when they BUNDLED the mortgage backed securities with those of banking concerns, it exacerbated the decline!! Consumer financial protection is needed!!
UGA 1999
January 23rd, 2012
1:45 pm
HDB….again your data is incorrect. Are you just ignorant to the facts or do you just like to lie? Please show me where at anytime Obama’s unemployment rate has been lower than Bush….Anytime?!?!
Ronnie Raygun
January 23rd, 2012
1:54 pm
“This is EXACLTY why Obama has lost 2 million jobs since taking office!”
Actually America has gained over 2 million net jobs since Obama’s stimulus was enacted in the Summer of 2009. More than the entire 8 year Bush administration.
Claiming the Obama should have waved a magic wand on the day of his inauguration and stopped the 500,000+ job losses a month that he inherited is quite silly.
td
January 23rd, 2012
1:55 pm
To all my lib friends:
I have said it over and over again that this election is not about whoever the Republican nominee is but rather if the white married middle class suburban woman (Independent vote) thinks Obama has done a good enough job to get four more years. If gas prices are going to $5 per gallon at the end of the summer as predicted then the Republican nominee WILL be President. End of story, can I get an Amen!!!
UGA 1999
January 23rd, 2012
1:56 pm
Ronnie….you are a liar! Plain and simple. Look at the unemployment numbers they do not lie. Typical Demoncrat.
UGA 1999
January 23rd, 2012
1:57 pm
Please show me ONE TIME in the 8 years under Bush where unemployment reached 8%
HDB
January 23rd, 2012
2:03 pm
UGA 1999
January 23rd, 2012
1:56 pm
This shows the charts……..
http://articles.businessinsider.com/2010-02-05/wall_street/30088805_1
HDB
January 23rd, 2012
2:04 pm
UGA 1999
January 23rd, 2012
1:45 pm
Not lying when I stated job losses were 750K/month……..
http://www.politifact.com/truth-o-meter/statements/2010/feb/17/joe-biden/biden-says-job-losses-have-fallen-750000-month-350/
HDB
January 23rd, 2012
2:04 pm
UGA 1999
January 23rd, 2012
1:45 pm
….and here’s the graph comparing job gains/losses under Bush and Obama….
http://www.blogforarizona.com/blog/2010/09/yes-virginia-there-is-an-economic-recovery.html
UGA 1999
January 23rd, 2012
2:09 pm
HDB….show me where unemployment under Bush reached 8%