Happy Easter!

Now I see the root of your wrong headed thinking. You are not an American. America is a country, not a continent. Do they not teach proper geography in your country? Perhaps they teach you that the entire world belongs to you in socialist schools. You do seem to think you have a right to take what ever you want from anyone else. Socialism serves only to keep everyone poor and beaten down. It is the root of your unhappiness, not the USA. So let me offer you an education in what our capitalist system is about and how it works and why there is none better...........

Capitalism F.A.Q.

1. What is capitalism?

Capitalism is not merely an economic system, but a political system as well. It is based on private property rights, free markets, and an objective rule of law. It depends upon the recognition of an individual's unalienable rights to life, liberty, and property, as famously championed by John Locke, and upon legal institutions that enforce the law justly and consistently (i.e., there is not one set of laws for those who govern or who have gained favor with those who govern and another set for those who are governed). It is a system under which people engage in trade through voluntary action for their mutual benefit, where each is free to pursue his own happiness, but no one is guaranteed to realize happiness.

2. What are the benefits of capitalism?

The greatest prosperity and standard of living can only be attained through capitalism. This is so because under capitalism the incentives to produce and create are unhindered by government regulation or mandate. Entrepreneurs are willing to take risks to bring new products to market, or to create new technologies to do things quicker, cheaper, or easier than before, because they are free to reap the rewards (i.e., their profits) of their efforts.

By contrast, when government prohibits or limits business activity, or when it confiscates a significant portion of the product of one's labor through taxes, there is little or no incentive to innovate. Government does not have to create anything to survive. It need only take from some to give to others. It operates in a zero-sum game. Government cannot give to some without taking from others.

Capitalism is a positive-sum game. Under capitalism, people must produce in order to acquire wealth. Furthermore, capitalism benefits all, not just the rich or the elite. Entrepreneurs and CEOs cannot do all the work themselves, so they must hire employees. They must also provide products that people can afford. By offering new goods and services and making existing goods and services cheaper and more efficient, business owners and investors benefit from profits while employees benefit from higher wages and consumers benefit from lower prices and a greater selection of goods.

3. What is the moral basis of capitalism?

In a word, freedom. A capitalist system recognizes that men are free, thinking beings. Man must think for himself, choose his path in life, and act accordingly to pursue the goals and ends he has chosen. He must use reason to discover truth. Capitalism allows people to think and act freely, unobstructed by coercion from government or from other individuals. It allows one to work in whichever profession he wants, buy and sell whatever he wants from whomever he wants to do business with, say what he wishes, worship as he pleases, or not at all, and pursue his own definition of happiness. It requires only that he earn his living honestly and not take from others without their consent.

4. Who is responsible for the philosophy of capitalism?

Many of the principles of capitalism can be traced to Adam Smith, particularly in his famous work, The Wealth of Nations. Smith recognized the failings of the mercantilism that prevailed during his day, under which protectionism and the hoarding of gold and other precious materials by the state was viewed as the way to preserve wealth. Smith, along with David Ricardo, extolled the virtues of free trade. The economic theory of capitalism was further developed by Frederic Bastiat, by those of the Austrian school of economics, named for its Austrian founders such as Carl Menger, Eugen von Böhm-Bawerk, Ludwig von Mises, and, to a less consistent degree, Mises's Nobel Prize-winning pupil Friedrich A. Hayek. Though Milton Friedman has also been less than consistent at times in endorsing capitalism, he, too, has made valuable contributions to the scholarship of capitalism, and his books Capitalism and Freedom and Free to Choose are well worth the read for those interested in a deeper explanation of capitalism.

The moral justification of capitalism was developed primarily, and most famously, by Ayn Rand through her philosophy of Objectivism. Objectivism holds that

There is an objective reality, as opposed to that based on faith or "feeling,"
That man and his life are ends in themselves, not to be sacrificed for the ends of others,
That reason is man's tool for perceiving reality, and
That laissez-faire capitalism (i.e., where markets are truly free and unhindered by government regulation) is the ideal political-economic system because it allows men to live on these terms.
For more information on Ayn Rand and Objectivism, see the Ayn Rand Institute and the Objectivist Center.

5. How does capitalism compare to socialism and other economic and political systems?

While capitalism is rooted in respect for individual rights, socialism demands that individuals sacrifice their rights, along with their labor and wealth, for the sake of society at large, for the "greater good," as determined by whoever holds political power at the time. Though it is often said that communism is the extreme at the "left" end of the political spectrum, and fascism the extreme on the "right," they are merely shades of the same color. They are both examples of statism and require that the individual surrender to the "needs" of the collective.

In 1932, Benito Mussolini, writing a definition of fascism for the Italian Encyclopedia, stated: "The foundation of Fascism is the conception of the State, its character, its duty, and its aim. Fascism conceives of the State as an absolute, in comparison with which all individuals or groups are relative, only to be conceived of in their relation to the State." Replace "Fascism" with "communism" or "socialism" and you have the foundation for all collectivist political systems. Nazism, dictatorships, theocracies, and absolute monarchies are, likewise, merely different forms of statism. Thus, the distinction should be not among different variations of collectivism, but between political systems that depend upon service and sacrifice to the collective and those that are based upon recognition of individual rights.

Capitalism is unique in its acknowledgment of individuals as the creators of any state, that the "state" is thus subservient to the individual, not the converse. This respect for the unalienable rights of man stands in stark contrast to collectivism. Under capitalism, life is celebrated and men are free to pursue happiness, each in his own way, while under collectivism, life is viewed as constant struggle and sacrifice (in fact, this is seen as the ideal!) and life is valuable only to the extent that it serves the state's ends.

6. Doesn't capitalism allow businessmen to exploit workers?

First of all, workers cannot be exploited in a laissez-faire capitalist system because all contracts, including employment contracts, are made on a voluntary basis. If a worker is unhappy with his employer, he is free to leave to try to contract with another employer for better working conditions, greater benefits, or a higher salary, or to start his own business.

In a purely free market, workers compete for jobs and employers compete for workers. Thus, just like the market for goods, the market for labor ensures through competition that resources go where they are most valued. Competition among employers will drive up wages, particularly for potential employees with special skills or knowledge. (Again, note that the capitalist system has a built-in system for rewarding achievement. So long as workers have the drive to innovate and to work harder and smarter, the opportunities available to them are potentially limitless.) Since profits are the bottom line, employers have an incentive to reward the hardest-working and most-innovative workers with higher salaries or benefits, in order to keep them from leaving for better employment offers. Capitalism, then, ensures that employees are paid the true value of their production - no more, no less - so it cannot be said that workers are exploited under capitalism.

7. Doesn't capitalism allow large corporations to exploit poor countries?

Anti-globalization activists often charge that multinational corporations move into poor countries, rob the land of its resources, and exploit the people that live there. This exploitation story is pure fallacy. New companies provide new jobs. Despite the sweatshop image portrayed by the opponents of capitalism, workers are generally paid wages much higher than the local average per capita wage. Among the most impoverished nations, this allows people to acquire skills that they would otherwise not have the opportunity to obtain.

Because multinational corporations see an opportunity to make money, untapped resources (including labor) are put to productive use to create products and technologies that are useful and more efficient than previous products and technologies. The results are higher incomes from higher wages and a higher standard of living from cheaper and more efficient goods. The farmer tilling his fields by ox may become able to afford a tractor, so he can produce more food more cheaply, so his customers can eat better and have income left over for other needs or wants. Wealth creation has a ripple effect. It is precisely because capitalism provides opportunity to anyone with ability or a strong work ethic that the poor benefit most under a capitalist system.

8. Without government regulation, won't unbridled capitalism lead to dangerous monopolies that harm consumers?

The only dangerous monopolies are those created by government.

Even in cases of true monopoly, where one firm sells all of a product in the market, consumers need not fear that they are being ripped off. This is because whenever something can be produced cheaper, at higher quality, or with better service, an opportunity exists for someone else to come in and make money off of it. If Microsoft becomes too content with its success and tries to price gouge its customers, a demand will arise for a cheaper or better technology and a competitor will be created to satisfy that demand.

The difference between laissez-faire capitalism and government is that Bill Gates cannot force you to buy his products or prevent you from buying other products. However, the government can do just that by enforcing prohibition laws and by preventing competition through licensing requirements, regulatory burdens, and franchise agreements. This may ensure that campaign contributors get something in return for their donations, but it greatly harms consumers, who are forced to deal with firms that have little or no competition, and thus little or no incentive to innovate or to provide the best quality of service at the best prices. This is where the real gouging takes place.

9. If capitalism is unregulated, how will people be protected from corporate fraud or unsafe products?

The first rule of a free society is "Do no harm." Acts of aggression are attacks on individual rights and acts of fraud are breaches of contracts, and they are punishable under the law in a capitalist system. Since a capitalist system requires that each individual be treated equally under objective laws (i.e., those that are not interpreted arbitrarily or inconsistently), everyone has the opportunity to seek recourse for wrong done to him by aggression, deceit, or negligence.

Consumers are much safer under a true free market than under a government-controlled or government-regulated system. If dangerous products cause injury, or if some individual or business commits fraud, consumers have legal recourse. Damage awards from litigation can be very costly, so it is in the businessman's interest to deal honestly and put forth the safest products possible.

Consider the engineer charged with building a bridge. If he skimps on building materials and uses cheaper, poor quality concrete or fewer support beams than safety would require, he will be liable when the bridge collapses and people are hurt or killed. Thus, his long-run costs (or even potential costs) will far outweigh his short-term gains, so he will be sure to build a safe bridge. Government mandates on product quality are often more political than scientific, and may be too strict (wasting resources) or too lenient (causing injury; notice that there often is no recourse when the government is responsible).

Perhaps you are very ill and wish to take a chance on an experimental and potentially-lifesaving drug therapy. Unfortunately, even though you are willing to bear the risk and the cost and the drug maker is willing to supply it to you, the Food and Drug Administration has not approved the medicine, and has thus signed your death warrant. Now tell me who does a better job of protecting consumers from unsafe products, while simultaneously preserving individual liberty: businessmen or government bureaucrats.

10. Is the United States of America a capitalist nation?

The America that was created by the Founding Fathers was a free and capitalist nation. It generally remained that way until around the late nineteenth century, when it began sliding down the path to socialism. Things really took a turn for the worse during the presidency of Franklin Delano Roosevelt during the 1930s and 1940s. American capitalism has never recovered from those days, and the government has continued to grow and become more and more intrusive.

From tariffs to minimum wage laws to corporate and farm subsidies to entitlement programs (Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid) to anti-consumer antitrust laws to government regulation of numerous industries to the burdensome taxes that are needed to fund all the state's redistributionist programs and policies, America looks little like the bastion of free enterprise it once represented. Capitalism has made this the great and prosperous nation it is today. America can regain its former glory, but only if its citizens realize that it is the free and voluntary actions of individuals, not government-enforced agendas, that lead to happiness and prosperity.

Kent~Andy's & Cloud 9 on Central used to be fun, been a while. Karoake, darts, pool, sometimes live music. DJ Hotspurs was a good place to dance. Moonrakers up on the hill.

Seattle~ Jazz Alley, Larry's on jam session night (wed)

Snohomish County~ Razzles, pool, darts, sports. Riverside Ale House, best scotch selection

Snohomish checkin in

FAK

Interesting reading for anyone that actually pays taxes.

The Forgotten Man- Amity Shales
http://www.amityshlaes.com/

Well thats the beauty of living in America. You have the right to be who you are, even if you are an idiot.

Yadda yadda yadda
We all know Clinton and Obama are not leftist enough for you, socialist that you are. They have not declared they will nationalize everything yet. But they will try if they are elected to nationalize many things, such as healthcare. Next will be the energy industry. But your opinions carry no weight with me as you are not an American. Go worship your Hugo poster and butt the hell out of our election process. It is none of your business.

Heres to Moab

Make no mistake, these people are not dumb. They know exactly what they are doing. It is all about gaining power. The left wants to take us down the path of socialism because if we all count on the government for everything then they have the power to control our lives. The media chose the Republican candidate for them this time around. McCain is just right of center and is willing to follow the lefts agenda to a degree. Before the next election something will have to be done to keep the media out of the election process and the 527 loophole needs to be plugged NOW!

Here you go, have a few. I don't want to get fat eating them all. @@@@

E C S T A T I C ! ! !

Just happens I made a batch of cookies yesterday with Guittard Chocolate chips. Yummy!

I can't wait to take the Jeep to Moab this year! I have made a lot of changes to it since the last time I went.

((((Judy))))

Cookies for breakfast again?

Seen a few of those out there. My mother is in Woodward. They do have a pretty sunset

Where would the fun be in that?

Well since I was called out........ Thanks for rubbing it in BRAT!

Ummmm ((((Indy)))) How about a Jura Superstition, neat if you please