I've been doing some thinking lately about little-known Austrian economist Joseph Stumperer. I know, most people thinking of Austrian economists think of Ludwig Von Mises or Frederic Hayek. Most people don't think of Austrian economists at all, and the only Hayek they think of is Selma, but I do, and that is my cross to bear. At any rate, Stumperer opined that the logical result of capitalism was socialism, not through revolution but through evolution. He, unlike Marx, felt that over time, capitalism would in effect, peter out, leaving in it's wake some form of socialistic, bureaucratic takeover of the economy. Through it's own success, capitalism would, in effect, kill itself. The entrepeneurs, who are the lifeblood of any free enterprise system, would finally morph into, basically, clerks. After all the good ideas are used up, and there are no more avenues to 'Industrial empires',we will all end up working for the man. He is one of the only economists that I have read who expound on the virtues of socialism that even take human nature into account. He seems to feel that, in the absence of untold riches and wealth, capable people will opt for the security of a steady job. If you can't beat em...join em.
It's an interesting hypothesis, and I look forward to reading more of his work, but in the meantime I wonder. If the logical result of capitalism is socialism, and the result of socialism is, if history has shown us anything, poverty, chaos, and misery. What does that mean for us? Or more importantly, what does that mean for me? No offense, but I don't care much about anything but myself and my family right now. We are, as I'm sure you are, struggling just to make ends meet. But it's a hard, hard world out there, and our problems don't amount to a hill of beans blah blah blah. So where do we go from here?
I know it sounds crazy, but maybe we follow Europe. If you pay attention to the news, you know there is chaos in western europe right now. Riots in the streets, blood on the tracks, and anarchy at the doorstep. This is happening in France because the government is suggesting raising the retirement age from 60 to 62. Really? 2 years is worth burning the nation to the ground? This from a people that couldn't surrender fast enough to the Germans. They gave it up faster than Snooki gave up Jwoww on Jersey Shores, and yet, try to take away their free stuff, and all of a sudden, the French grow a spine. The Greeks are taking to the streets like, well, Greeks take to sheep, all because their government is realizing that there is no pot of gold at the end of the socialist rainbow. The only thing left the morning after this one-night stand is regret, a hangover, and a huge bar tab at the China Lotus.
So several European nations are saying no more. Albeit in quiet, almost apologetic tones. No more can we afford to postpone the bill. The tab needs to be payed. No more rounds for the house. The sad part is, America has been footing the bill for their outrageous entitlement spending since the advent of the cold war, and they're still out of money. We have been protecting them for 60 years, to the point where they can no longer protect themselves. What happens to them if we can no longer afford to be the policeman to the world? Who cares? We all should. If capitalism logically morphs into socialism, and socialism leads to misery, than the only hope for mankind is a third way. What is that way? I don't know, but if it ends in ism, I'm against it. Call it principle, call it stupid, stubborn, or simple-mindedness, but I'm sick and tired of isms, unless it's Anti-ism-ism. Then I'm all for it. When someone comes up with that platform, call me. Until then, I'm out.
Saturday, October 23, 2010
Monday, October 11, 2010
This could be the greatest year in the history of this nation. Greater than 1776, or 1787. It could have more impact on our future than 1860 or 1929. It could be the beginning of the new beginning of the United States of America. But it will only be the beginning. November 2nd, 2010 may be remembered by future generations as the day we got our groove back. The day the American people demanded that their country got back to the principles upon which it was founded. But it will only be the beginning.
Why, in the midst of the worst economic situation since the great depression, with federal deficits through the roof and unfunded liabilities at mindboggling levels, is there any reason for optimism? Look at the political scene unfolding around us. Look at the politicians, and I use that term very loosely, that stand to take advantage of the current dissaffection with Washington. Do any of them look like politicians? Miller, O'Donnell, Angle, Whitman, Palladino? Do any of them look familiar? To me, they look like a changing of the guard, a new breed of citizen-statesman. The kind that the founding fathers first envisioned when they launched this noble experiment.
I don't know much about any of these candidates, but I don't need to, I'm not in their districts. What I do know is that they all have a chance to win. And I hope that they all do. But that will be just the beginning. Eternal vigilance by a well-informed populace is the only thing that can keep democracy from the inexorable slide into tyranny. We need to watch these people as if they were paroled convicts hired to manage our bank accounts. They don't look like normal politicians, and it's up to us to ensure that they don't act like them. Looks can be deceiving but not always.
For example, let's look at Chris Christie and Scott Brown. I like Christie. I'll admit, I don't know much about him, but everything I've seen is good. He doesn't pull punches, he doesn't back down, and he never passes up an opportunity to speak his mind. He doesn't strike me as the type of person that tests the direction of the populist winds before he gives his opinion on any subject. I like that. I like honest, straightforward people that don't worry too much about what other people think. If something is right to you, do it and let the chips fall where they may. If I'm going to make a mistake, I'll err on the side of my own principles, not on the latest Rasmussen polls. Keep an eye on Christie.
Now let's look at Brown. He is the anti-Christie. He looks like he just stepped out of a men's fashion magazine where Christie looks like he just stepped out of a Dunkin Donuts on his way to a Honeydew with a pit stop at Mcdonalds in between. Christie is trying to balance the budget of New Jersey, while Brown looks like he spent the budget of New Jersey on his haircut. But Brown is a republican just like Christie. Really? Brown is a Massachusetts republican, which is a little like being the least racist guy at a Klan rally, or to keep the focus on Christie, the thinnest guy at fat camp. Brown is a politician first, a conservative second. Christie is Christie first, Christie second, and thirds on the chocolate cake please. But that is what I like about him. He is unapologetic, brash, and loud. He is a Jersey Guy, governing the state of New Jersey. Brown is a Massachusetts guy, deciding the fate of people in North Dakota, Iowa, and South Carolina.
The federal government is too far removed from, and has too much power over the entire country. There is no reason why a governor in New Jersey, duly elected by the citizens of his state, should have to defer to the wishes of a senator from Massachusetts in any matter pertaining to the well-being of the state of New Jersey. That is not how this government was designed, but that is what it has become. This year could be the beginning of the end of that. Let's all hope that the unconventional "Politicians" that are preparing to move into power are exactly what they seem. Let's hope that they return to the doctrine of self-determination that made this nation great in the first place. The idea that the unwashed masses, in all their ignorance, knew their own interests more than the elites in Washington. That is was up to the people to decide, for good or ill, the direction of their lives. Let's hope, for all our sakes, that the era of big government is over for real this time, and we can all get back to the business of our own lives.
Why, in the midst of the worst economic situation since the great depression, with federal deficits through the roof and unfunded liabilities at mindboggling levels, is there any reason for optimism? Look at the political scene unfolding around us. Look at the politicians, and I use that term very loosely, that stand to take advantage of the current dissaffection with Washington. Do any of them look like politicians? Miller, O'Donnell, Angle, Whitman, Palladino? Do any of them look familiar? To me, they look like a changing of the guard, a new breed of citizen-statesman. The kind that the founding fathers first envisioned when they launched this noble experiment.
I don't know much about any of these candidates, but I don't need to, I'm not in their districts. What I do know is that they all have a chance to win. And I hope that they all do. But that will be just the beginning. Eternal vigilance by a well-informed populace is the only thing that can keep democracy from the inexorable slide into tyranny. We need to watch these people as if they were paroled convicts hired to manage our bank accounts. They don't look like normal politicians, and it's up to us to ensure that they don't act like them. Looks can be deceiving but not always.
For example, let's look at Chris Christie and Scott Brown. I like Christie. I'll admit, I don't know much about him, but everything I've seen is good. He doesn't pull punches, he doesn't back down, and he never passes up an opportunity to speak his mind. He doesn't strike me as the type of person that tests the direction of the populist winds before he gives his opinion on any subject. I like that. I like honest, straightforward people that don't worry too much about what other people think. If something is right to you, do it and let the chips fall where they may. If I'm going to make a mistake, I'll err on the side of my own principles, not on the latest Rasmussen polls. Keep an eye on Christie.
Now let's look at Brown. He is the anti-Christie. He looks like he just stepped out of a men's fashion magazine where Christie looks like he just stepped out of a Dunkin Donuts on his way to a Honeydew with a pit stop at Mcdonalds in between. Christie is trying to balance the budget of New Jersey, while Brown looks like he spent the budget of New Jersey on his haircut. But Brown is a republican just like Christie. Really? Brown is a Massachusetts republican, which is a little like being the least racist guy at a Klan rally, or to keep the focus on Christie, the thinnest guy at fat camp. Brown is a politician first, a conservative second. Christie is Christie first, Christie second, and thirds on the chocolate cake please. But that is what I like about him. He is unapologetic, brash, and loud. He is a Jersey Guy, governing the state of New Jersey. Brown is a Massachusetts guy, deciding the fate of people in North Dakota, Iowa, and South Carolina.
The federal government is too far removed from, and has too much power over the entire country. There is no reason why a governor in New Jersey, duly elected by the citizens of his state, should have to defer to the wishes of a senator from Massachusetts in any matter pertaining to the well-being of the state of New Jersey. That is not how this government was designed, but that is what it has become. This year could be the beginning of the end of that. Let's all hope that the unconventional "Politicians" that are preparing to move into power are exactly what they seem. Let's hope that they return to the doctrine of self-determination that made this nation great in the first place. The idea that the unwashed masses, in all their ignorance, knew their own interests more than the elites in Washington. That is was up to the people to decide, for good or ill, the direction of their lives. Let's hope, for all our sakes, that the era of big government is over for real this time, and we can all get back to the business of our own lives.
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