A Washington Post article on the issues involved in relationship to the chemical spill in West Virginia identified the Competitiveness Policy Institute as a “free-market think tank” in presenting its views opposing increased regulation of dangerous chemical. This is inaccurate.

Supporters of the free market do not believe that others can damage life and property with impunity. For example, it is not consistent with a free market to think that anyone can dump toxic chemicals on Bill Gates’ lawn. Protection of life and property are fundamentals of free market economics.

In this case, it is likely that the company responsible, Freedom Industries, will largely escape responsibility for the damage it caused with its actions since it declared bankruptcy. This means that the victims of the spill were effectively forced to give money to Freedom Industries. This is antithetical to free market principles. A think tank that supports such outcomes should be labeled as a proponent of upward redistribution, not a supporter of free markets.

Typo corrected, thanks Dax.