A Maligned Minority
Like the speculators or Jews, free riders are often convenient scapegoats or cheap excuses to serve the powerful. In particular big government has a strong tendency to blame such minorities in pursuit of their grand schemes and to impose government control.
The German word is “Trittbrettfaher” (literally translated: footboard rider as if riding a tram for free by hanging on the outside of a tram). It also kind of connotes that people step on it with their feet.
Canary In The Coal Mine
The occurrence of free riders should be seen as early warning signs. There is maybe something to be learnt when free riders appear.
More often than not, minorities hold a mirror in front of the majority or those in power. The motivations of free riders are as diverse as anything that humans do. Free riders too enjoy liberty and the pursuit of happiness. Maybe an individual is a free rider with respect to one activity, but not in everything he or she does.
More Competition
I would also argue, in many instances, free riders serve in the interest of more competition and freedom of choice. Free riders incur risks of being resented.
Free Riders And Obamacare
The four liberal Justices on the US Supreme Court, i.e. Justices Ginsburg, Kagan, Sotomayor, and Breyer, surely used the free rider to defend the unconstitutional individual mandate. What a shame!
Who are those free riders of health care? Individuals who pay with credit or cash for any health care they need. Individuals who travel abroad to obtain cheaper health care. Individuals who live a healthy life style. I am sure there are more examples.
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