Suppose there were a private militia that went around killing a certain number of people each year. The militia employs the same number of people, at the same salaries, as the tobacco industry. The group provides absolutely no benefits to society other than employment. Now suppose someone presses for the dissolution (at the very least) of this militia. An objection would be raised by the militia and those who supported them: “But think of all the jobs that would be lost!” Under the present conditions of American government, vis a vis the tobacco industry, the militia would win that argument and would be allowed to continue its activities.
You might object that random street killings do not incorporate any choice on the part of the victim. I need hardly say that the influence of free choice in tobacco use is debatable, but all right…let us suppose that the militia kills only those people who use telephones. Like tobacco, use of telephones is not strictly required for survival, though it is stimulating and, once customary, difficult to live without.
