Free Market Solutions To Our Water Woes

This is a letter from my good friend, Chris Cole.

To the editor:
It was revealed recently that the town of Midland,
incorporated in 2000, is negotiating to take over the
water system in its area. That water has been provided
by the city of Concord since 1995. Midland authorities
see the water system as a means to control growth,
especially coming over the Mecklenburg County line.

First, I wonder why no one questions why the
government needs to sell water, though there are
private water systems. We understand that government
provides police service for example, because
government is force, and we have delegated a monopoly
on forceful self-defense to government (described in
the Declaration of Independence). How is force and
monopoly proper to the commercial distribution of
water (or any other commercial product)? Ahhh, the
actions of Midland provide the answer.

Second, I wonder why it is accepted as normal that a
government will seize a monopoly on an essential
product, water, then use that monopoly to manipulate
the private choices of its customers. That would be
considered intolerable thuggery by any private
distributor. Is inducing thirst an acceptable means of
public policy?

For the sake of their liberty, I plead with Cabarrus
residents to demand the privatization of their water
supply. Only by transferring water to the competitive
environment of free enterprise can they remove it from
the manipulation of politicians.