Trying to Shake Socialism in Israel

[Yisroel Markov]

OK, maybe that's too ambitious a headline, but the new government is
trying to do something to help the economy:
---------------------------------------

The port unions � possibly the most powerful in the country with just
2,400 workers earning double the average public sector salary � are
likely to be severely weakened and may have to make concessions or
face layoffs. [...]

Articulating the government�s position, Finance Minister Yair Lapid
said simply: �Let there be war.�

Full article at
http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/05/16/us-israel-ports-idINBRE94F0IW20130516

Walter Russell Mead comments:

"The government wants to introduce private piers opposite the
country�s two main, union-controlled ports at Ashdod and Haifa, hoping
that service will improve and prices will drop. With a mandate from
January�s elections to fix the economy and little sympathy for
unionized public employees from Israel�s struggling middle class,
Bibi�s government looks determined to crack the institutions keeping
competition impossible and the quality of services very low. The port
unions are only the beginning: Bibi also has the airlines, car
importers, and television operators in his sights."
http://blogs.the-american-interest.com/wrm/2013/05/19/israels-other-enemy-the-blue-social-model/

Here's a question: to some extent, halakha prohibits disrupting
someone else's livelihood. But suppose that, like in the port union
case, this livelihood is underpinned by an artificial monopoly that
results in price-gouging and crappy service? Is it the resulting
benefit to the rest of the public that justifies breaking this
monopoly?
--
Yisroel "Godwrestler Warriorson" Markov - Boston, MA Member
www.reason.com -- for a sober analysis of the world DNRC
--------------------------------------------------------------------
"Judge, and be prepared to be judged" -- Ayn Rand