Chaos consequences

While passing laws that change tax codes, creating new social programs or modifying existing ones may be well-intentioned, the ultimate results may not match those intentions. That is almost inevitable since various aspects of our lives are inextricably socially and economically intertwined. Thus, it would be beneficial to require those promoting, much less initiating, legislation be acquainted with two bits of knowledge that might help them to better guide their actions. One is the Law of Unintended Consequences and the other, Chaos Theory.

Taking care of the children of immigrants by our federal government is a well-intended effort. However, on our southern border it appears that parents are abandoning their children knowing they would be cared for. Surely that must be an unintended consequence.

Those attempting to make abortions illegal believe they are doing the right thing. However, the greatest impact of prohibiting abortions is on the poor, for those with higher incomes have the financial resources to travel to other areas to have an abortion. Those with lower incomes do not have that option. Thus, the primary impact will be on the poor and possibly abrogate the benefits of other efforts to assist them. As funds are spent for various welfare programs, a consequence may be an increase in the costs of goods and services (inflation). If those are necessities, people that will not be aided by the welfare program(s) may no longer be able to afford them. Putting others into the need for assistance must surely have been unintended.

Chaos Theory says a small change may, over an extended period, have an impact that cannot be forecast. As an example, a butterfly flapping wings in Brazil can create a tornado in Texas. If tornadoes were given a name, the name of one might be Trump.

PHILLIP TAYLOR

Fayetteville