There are certain actions that, while not harmful in and of themselves, are likely to have harmful consequences. For that reason we discourage or outlaw them.

Such actions include drunken driving, setting brush fires in a dry season and yelling “fire” in a crowded theater when there is no fire.

In other cases, we actually encourage such actions. Having a child when one does not have the time and energy to care for him or her, or having a child when there is a likelihood of passing on a genetic defect, fall into this category.

The recent editorial “Our View: Strong preschool programs require equal pay for Maine’s early learning educators” (June 16) is an example of the former. Instead of encouraging parents to wait until they can afford to devote time to care for their children, the editorial suggests that others pick up the bill for hiring good-quality teachers to do the job.

Similarly, the Affordable Care Act subsidizes health insurance for those with genetic problems, and so we shouldn’t be surprised that premiums are likely to go up, as The New York Times recently reported.

Some people may hold that there is an inalienable right for anyone to bear children, but then logic dictates that they also hold that there is an inalienable right for anyone to stake a claim to other people’s money. The two propositions go hand in hand.

William Vaughan Jr.

Chebeague Island