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Originally Posted by Xiahou:
What? They're not doing that already?
Don't you find it odd that you think a democratically elected government can force companies to behave on the electorate's behalf, but the electorate itself can't force the change? If a majority of people want ingredients on food labeling, they vote for representatives that will enact the regulation. But, if a majority of people want ingredients on food labeling, can't they accomplish the same thing by buying from suppliers that do so? If it's important, it'll drive sales. If it drives sales, all suppliers will be doing it in short order.
Look at the explosion of organic food stupidity if you need an example. People are willing to pay 3x as much for a banana because it's "organic", as though other bananas are "inorganic". Therefore, you can't find a grocery store that doesn't stock them.
Is aspartame dangerous or not? No matter your answer, what source did you base this on? What? They're not doing that already?
Don't you find it odd that you think a democratically elected government can force companies to behave on the electorate's behalf, but the electorate itself can't force the change? If a majority of people want ingredients on food labeling, they vote for representatives that will enact the regulation. But, if a majority of people want ingredients on food labeling, can't they accomplish the same thing by buying from suppliers that do so? If it's important, it'll drive sales. If it drives sales, all suppliers will be doing it in short order.
Look at the explosion of organic food stupidity if you need an example. People are willing to pay 3x as much for a banana because it's "organic", as though other bananas are "inorganic". Therefore, you can't find a grocery store that doesn't stock them.
Why are those bananas "organic"? Because they're labeled that way. What does the label stand for? Do you know the exact formulation, or are you information deficient? Are the labeling correct or not? How do you know? And why are you calling it a stupidity? Is it a secret goverment project to sell it? Or is it market manipulation by the companies, earning money on the costumers information deficiency?
Seriously, you call the organic food costumers (aka parts of the electorate) falling for something stupid, while asking in the paragraph above why the electorate can't force the change. The electorate gave you Obama vs Romney. And was almost split in half. Combined might, combined ingenuity (the electorate has the power to pick someone else that what the parties offers) indeed.
Your basic assumption are that the companies aren't players. In fact, they are the strongest players there is. Because they've got financial might and vested interest. Only the combined might of the public may beat them. But none informed the public that they should fund independent research and make sure that it's not influenced by the companies. Has American companies lied about the dangers of their products in the past? Oh yes indeed, many times.
But since you and everyone else is homo omnieconomicus, that won't ever be a problem would it?
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