Last month, I wrote about the importance of regulation and my fundamental distrust of businesses choosing to do the right thing because market forces demand it.
It turns out that despite Republican politicians fighting for less regulation, I am not alone.
A new YouGov survey asked respondents what industries should be more regulated and what industries should be less regulated.
Respondents, by a large majority, preferred more regulation over less.
The industries that the largest numbers of Americans said ought to be more regulated included:
- Artificial intelligence (72 percent favor more regulation, 5 percent less)
- Pharmaceuticals (66 percent favor more, 10 percent less)
- Social media (60 percent favor more, 15 percent less)
- Firearms (57 percent favor more, 20 percent less)
- Health insurance (56 percent favor more, 16 percent less).
Industries that Americans thought required less regulation include fashion, entertainment, and tourism.
When it comes to matters involving our health, safety, and security, a large majority of Americans support more regulation.
When it comes to businesses that have far less effect on our safety and well-being, Americans rightfully don’t care nearly as much.
This gives me hope.
Outside the vacuum of politics and tribalism, it seems that Americans are far more sensible and level-headed. When they aren’t trapped in their political bubble and simply asked to express their views, rationalism, it would seem, rules the day.
Huzzah?
