06-08-2018, 10:58 AM
geochem, when was the last hurricane to cause massive homelessness in Puna? While I agree in an ideal world we should all live in super-safe homes, there are two problems with that:
- Not everyone can afford those homes, yet shouldn't be denied housing or forced into renting, further widening the gap between haves and have nots.
- The cost of such homes makes them inappropriate for lava-risk areas. Either through personal loss, rising premiums, or increased taxation, we will all bear those costs unnecessarily.
I think the nanny-state approach (mandating safety) is short-sited, in that it will create a society where most cannot afford to comply, and the rich will ultimately dismantle such protections anyway. The law should instead focus on preventing harm to others (through pollution, disturbance, sale without disclosure or safety inspection, etc).
- Not everyone can afford those homes, yet shouldn't be denied housing or forced into renting, further widening the gap between haves and have nots.
- The cost of such homes makes them inappropriate for lava-risk areas. Either through personal loss, rising premiums, or increased taxation, we will all bear those costs unnecessarily.
I think the nanny-state approach (mandating safety) is short-sited, in that it will create a society where most cannot afford to comply, and the rich will ultimately dismantle such protections anyway. The law should instead focus on preventing harm to others (through pollution, disturbance, sale without disclosure or safety inspection, etc).