Do Legislators and Consumers Really Make Rational Decisions?
Message from Bob: Do legislators and consumers really make rational decisions? It’s often hard to tell. In the1998 Kentucky legislative session, the motorcycle helmet law was repealed, even though such laws save lives. Early in the current legislative session, however, they passed stricter laws on teenagers’ driving (see Update # 149); and they just passed a law requiring children under age 16 to wear a helmet while riding ATVs, even on private property. The new seatbelt law, which will allow police officers to stop drivers for not wearing their seatbelt, passed the legislature partly because it will bring Kentucky $11 million in federal funds as the state comes into compliance with federal law. It appears that the majority of legislators were not wildly enthusiastic about this bill, which could save approximately 60 lives a year, but saw how foolish it would be to turn down federal money. Lawmakers are elected by the people, and, in the face of contrary decisions, it is difficult to s
