Forcing businesses to comply with artificial benchmarks or mandated business plans eliminates the need (or ability) to make sound business decisions based on supply, demand and future planing. The end result is either government entitlements to keep businesses afloat or future bankruptcies. Sometimes it makes sense for a company to invest in a net loss market because it fits their long term plans, but lets allow them to make that decision. Unfilled market niches often become opportunities for smaller players or startups, but this kind of mandate permanently eliminate those opportunities. (They also discourage startups in an entire market segment since only the largest players are actually capable of meeting these kinds of mandates.)

I’m not impressed at all with the level of foresight those who legislate have – they seem completely unable to comprehend what effect (and side-effects) a piece of legislation will make on those affected.

The government that governs least, governs best.
Thomas Paine

I cannot agree enough.

(Hat-tip to John Henke)