Belief we can change to
There are two major forces in the world: politics and economics. The power of economics is in wealth generation through innovation, industry and trade, while the power of politics is in coercive force of those who wield might, sometimes (but not always) backed by legal "right".
The free market can be cruel and unfeeling (after all, the hand is invisible). Slavery and pollution are common for products sent to distant markets. Those who fund the market can create a false economy where the lending of money becomes more profitable than the actual innovation, industry and trade. Where there is ineffective law enforcement, criminal organizations can take control of markets. Appetites for goods and services that are outlawed by governments can be satisfied on the black market, usually a hidden economy.
In an attempt to make the free market less cruel and more feeling, politicians attempt to "fix" the free market. Their fixes include: wage and price controls, money supply manipulation, rules, regulations, bureaucracies, taxes, fines, licenses and tariffs. Politics also has it's seedier side, with corruption and payoffs, vendettas against and alliances with one or another private business owner. Politicians can back those who have money, those who hire people or those who provide labor, or even those who are unemployed, using coercive power to "entitle" whatever group has the ear (and pocket) of those currently in power. The net effect of politics is in general to weaken the market, but not to rid the private sector of its corruption, nor to check government's own corruption.
The best solution would be a free market that has some built-in moral code: that does not pollute, does not use slave labor, and places as fair a value on innovation and industriousness as it does on capital. All that is needed under this system is a government that guarantees the impartial rule of law, the safety of the citizens to do their work, and common networks of communication and travel. All that is needed of the average citizen is to have higher moral values. All that is needed of politicians and bureaucrats (both good and corrupt) is to get out of the way.
The alternative, more and more intrusive government with individuals trying to game the system to get an edge, is where the current administration is heading and is a prescription for disaster. This can do nothing except lead to more inequities or, worse yet, the equality of poverty. As people lose their wealth and lose their independence, more government control and oppression will be needed. This is the pattern of the past and is likely to extend into the future. If you doubt this, consider the town hall meetings where local citizens objecting to the new government health care plan were shouted down and opposed by bussed in groups of paid individuals who "supported" the health plan.
Believe this: in the power of individuals under a simple, small, fair and honest government to change the world.
The free market can be cruel and unfeeling (after all, the hand is invisible). Slavery and pollution are common for products sent to distant markets. Those who fund the market can create a false economy where the lending of money becomes more profitable than the actual innovation, industry and trade. Where there is ineffective law enforcement, criminal organizations can take control of markets. Appetites for goods and services that are outlawed by governments can be satisfied on the black market, usually a hidden economy.
In an attempt to make the free market less cruel and more feeling, politicians attempt to "fix" the free market. Their fixes include: wage and price controls, money supply manipulation, rules, regulations, bureaucracies, taxes, fines, licenses and tariffs. Politics also has it's seedier side, with corruption and payoffs, vendettas against and alliances with one or another private business owner. Politicians can back those who have money, those who hire people or those who provide labor, or even those who are unemployed, using coercive power to "entitle" whatever group has the ear (and pocket) of those currently in power. The net effect of politics is in general to weaken the market, but not to rid the private sector of its corruption, nor to check government's own corruption.
The best solution would be a free market that has some built-in moral code: that does not pollute, does not use slave labor, and places as fair a value on innovation and industriousness as it does on capital. All that is needed under this system is a government that guarantees the impartial rule of law, the safety of the citizens to do their work, and common networks of communication and travel. All that is needed of the average citizen is to have higher moral values. All that is needed of politicians and bureaucrats (both good and corrupt) is to get out of the way.
The alternative, more and more intrusive government with individuals trying to game the system to get an edge, is where the current administration is heading and is a prescription for disaster. This can do nothing except lead to more inequities or, worse yet, the equality of poverty. As people lose their wealth and lose their independence, more government control and oppression will be needed. This is the pattern of the past and is likely to extend into the future. If you doubt this, consider the town hall meetings where local citizens objecting to the new government health care plan were shouted down and opposed by bussed in groups of paid individuals who "supported" the health plan.
Believe this: in the power of individuals under a simple, small, fair and honest government to change the world.
posted by DocBrain at
7:19 PM
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