Sources used in this document:

Sunstein provides a good example of this kind of decision making process towards the end of the book by explaining that although some things may cost more than benefit in a monetary sense, they can benefit more in other ways. "Suppose that a workplace safety rule would cost $400 million and produce benefits of $350 million. At first glance the rule fails a cost-benefit test. But suppose that the costs would be incurred by those who sell and use a luxury good" (Sunstein, 2013, p. 160). He goes on to use pollution and explains in terms of human welfare, the importance of certain actions that may seem more costly than beneficial, financially, but socially, health wise, may be worth it. Ultimately what OIRA's main goal is, is to prevent accidents, disease, and save lives. All of these are important to consider and may represent hurdles when trying to figure out and budget government expenses through agency actions.

Sunstein does a great job of explaining how these hurdles are often dealt with and what it takes to get to a point of agreement and conclusion. People often fail to understand what goes on behind the curtain and assume that the government is full of corrupt individuals that ignore the facts and instead go by the way of lobbyists and people who fund political campaigns. However, Sunstein shows that although facts are not completely ignored, it's not just the facts that are being taken under consideration, but also the impact on one's individual value system. "When people disagree about a rule that would protect clean air or increase highway safety, it is because of what they most value, not because of disagreements about the evidence. Facts are not irrelevant, but they are hardly the main event" (Sunstein, 2013, p. 147).

Sunstein has always had a clear voice when it came to politics and regulation. In a recent article, he explains his ideas under the context of Hayek, as well as his thoughts on regulation of government. "Instead of conservatism, Hayek argued for a principled commitment to liberty -- an approach that would sharply constrain government and "take an essentially radical position, directed against popular prejudices, entrenched positions and firmly established privileges" (Washington Post, 2014). So often one cannot see the voice behind a writer as clear as is seen in this book and in Sunstein. He has the ability to concisely and clearly show his own perspective as well as the overall perspective of the government as it relates to people, agencies, processes, law, and oversight.