Ever straddling the bleeding edge of public policy, the Marin Independent Journal reports on e-mails received about a proposal to install suicide barriers on the Golden Gate Bridge, where about 20 people jump to their deaths each year. A busybody-ish Marin IJ editorial carries the matter further still.

Apparently, it is government's job to help stop people from jumping off the Golden Gate Bridge.

Wrong. It is government's job to recognize a revenue opportunity.

Look, I'm not heartless - not really. But it just seems the long hand of government has a limited effect here. People will still find ways to heave themselves off the great bridge; the pull is just too strong. Always has been, always will.

So why not simply reformulate the paradigm? Heighten preventive barriers, yes; but also sell steeply-priced GGB suicide permits - along with mandatory, signed rescue-and-body-recovery waivers - to boost hurting bridge revenues. That's something we could all live with.

Posted by Matt Rosenberg at March 5, 2005 10:29 PM

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