Question:
Since flouridation of water supplies has been brought up, I'll weigh in:

* I don't have any idea whether flouridation causes cancer in lab animalsor people or causes birth defects or builds stronger bones or reduces thebirth rate or helps the nation defend itself against commies.

* However, I don't think "public water supplies" should be adulteratedwith chemicals for _other_ than purification reasons. Chlorination ofwater to make it safe to drink is different from adding fluorides to helpchildren build stronger teeth...or whatever the reasoning is.

* Should the water supplies be adulterated with Prozac, for example, ifthis has societal benefits?

* Those who want fluoride in their drinking water are perfectly free tobuy fluoride-treated bottled water, to buy fluoride additives to add totheir own water, or to use fluoride toothpaste. Sounds fair to me.

Water should be as pure as possible. Adding Prozac, birth controlcompounds, flourides, etc., for societal benefits is not appropriate, evenif "democratically decided upon."

I have no problem with a private water company offering such products. Theproblem is that "municipal water districts" are given certain monopolypowers, access to public lands, access to the aquifer, etc. Democracy mustthen be very carefully limited.

And since flourides are so easily added to water once in the possession ofthe consumer, the only possible "justification" of the flouridation ofwater at the source is that some people don't _want_ flourides and we haveto "make" them use the flouridated water, or that we think some people aretoo stupid to know they need the flourides or won't remember to fluoridatetheir own water. Or for the kids. "It's to save the children," the lastrefuge of the control freaks.

Besides, flouridation is a plot to pollute our precious bodily fluids.

Answer: As far as the "how are poor kids gonna get flouride" argument ... well, if thecity could afford to put the flouride in the water supply, why couldn't itinstead use that money to provide flouride tablets for kids whose parentsbelieve it's a good idea but can't afford it themselves?

I know you won't like that suggestion, Tim, and I admit I haven't yet thoughtthrough all of its ramifications. However, I bring it up because I'm sureit'll be the next thing we'll hear from the pro-flouride contingent once theyrealize they can't vote it into the water supply.