Government regulation has protective purpose

Does everyone now realize why we need government regulation and good government regulators?

After the economic meltdown caused by bankers and investment companies and the Gulf oil disaster by BP, it is abundantly clear that the private sector needs strong regulation.

And how about the mine disaster in West Virginia? The Exxon Valdeze oil spill? Three Mile Island?

The bottom line here is profit! Long-term strength of a company, its workers and our society is just not on the radar screen.

Man-made disasters today are capable of completely destroying or radically changing the delicate ecosystems of the earth. We are in the process of ignoring global warming even though 99 percent of scientists agree climate change is reality. We risk disaster even though the signs of problems are all around us.

We need government to regulate for the benefit of society.

Kathryn Hansen

Iowa City