Monthly Archives: September 2015

Liberty and Capitalism

25 Friday Sep 2015

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What is Liberty and where does it come from?

John Locke wrote in part -“…we must consider what sate all men are naturally in, and that is a state of perfect freedom to order their actions and dispose of all their possessions and persons as they think fit, within the bounds of the law of nature, without asking leave or depending upon the will of any other man.”

Liberty is the freedom for individuals to act in their own self interests as they determine them.  It is the ability to possess property and dispose of it without interference from others provided they act within the law of nature.

This idea found its way into our Declaration of Independence.  In the preamble of the Declaration it states: “[when one people] assume, among the Powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the Laws of Nature and of Nature’s God entitle them…that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness.”

Liberty is an unalienable right according to this founding document.  We are free to pursue what we will and this is a right that cannot be taken from us.

How is Capitalism compatible with Liberty?

Capitalism is an economic system that is based on the private ownership of the means of production.  This system, even as imperfectly as it has been implemented here in the U.S., has proven itself capable of providing high living standards and great wealth.  Our country’s history demonstrates the benefits provided to all individuals by this Capitalist system is unparalleled in human history. Why?

It is due to our system of government being based on the principle of individual liberty. This has allowed people the freedom to pursue what they wanted to. Entrepreneurs worked to improve the quality of their own lives by utilizing the private ownership of the means of production and in doing so, they improved everyone’s lives.

Railroads, telephones, electricity, cars, food, clothing, shoes and every other imaginable good and service was developed by someone that thought they had a better idea and had the freedom, the Liberty, to create it.

Attacks on Capitalism are Attacks on Liberty

Capitalism and Liberty have become inexorably intertwined.  Private ownership of the means of production is tied to the unalienable right to Liberty and the natural right to possess property unfettered.

When Capitalism is attacked, as it relentlessly is, what are the remedies sought? Regulations and government oversight.  Restrictions on an individual’s ability to possess property is an attack on Liberty.

And as we continually see, government intervention becomes plunder.

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In Defense of Capitalism

24 Thursday Sep 2015

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What are the Benefits of Capitalism?

Capitalism is the economic system that has raised the quality of life for people far above anything imaginable before it.  It is the system that has provided for all of the industrial, technological and social advancements that has made the world what is today.

Compare even the poorest in our society today to the poorest in the feudal times. Comparisons of  infant mortality rates and average life spans demonstrate that people are better off today.  In fact, people are much better off today than they were even 300 years ago.

Another more recent comparison.   A study by “The Economist” from OECD data in 2013 shows a “Better-Life” index.  This is a compilation of 10 indicators  observed in various countries, to arrive at a quality of life index and it is split between the bottom 10% and the top 10% of a country’s socioeconomic status.  What does it show?

People in the in the bottom 10% have a better life in the U.S, than all but 3 of the 17 countries in the group.  Countries that are more socialist, like Germany, France and Britain have a lower standard.  In fairness, Sweden has it slightly better.

But wait there is more.  Our bottom 10% are better off than the top 10% of Russia, Portugal and Brazil.  By a lot.

Indeed, another study from World Bank data shows Americans in the bottom 5% of the U.S.’s income distribution are wealthier than 68% of the rest of the world.  Our poorest people are about as rich as the richest in India.  Why?

Capitalism, while not practiced perfectly here, is the engine that drives economic growth.  It is carried on by self interested individuals in the pursuit of profits and it benefits everyone.  The basic tenant of liberty in our country gives individuals the freedom to pursue entrepreneurial endeavors and  when they succeed, it benefits everyone.

Can a government controlled and centrally planned  system do better?  It does not appear so.

Angus gets it wrong again – this time on Iran

15 Tuesday Sep 2015

Posted by in Maine

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A few weeks ago Senator Angus King held a discussion at USM, with former Senator George Mitchell and Ambassador to NATO, Nicolas Burns.

Senator King stated that he has read everything about the agreement and that it is a good agreement.  He was on a radio sound bite over the weekend saying in effect that the only thing worse than Iran is Iran with a nuclear weapon.  He is making the case, both in the sound bite and in the meeting, that this agreement will stop Iran from getting a nuclear weapon.

Once again, he is wrong, this agreement opens the pathway to one.

First of all, this agreement has side deals at the UN that the Senator, and indeed, Secretary of State Kerry have not seen and do not know what they say.

17 unclassified documents were added to 1 classified document to make it difficult for Congressional members and staff to read them. Same tactic that was used by the President on the Pacific Rim trade deal this summer.

Iran, as reported by the associated press, will be inspecting their own facilities.  Military sites are off limits.  If inspectors are allowed to look, Iran first gets a 60 day notice.

If these sanctions are lifted, Iran, the largest state sponsor of terror in the world,  will get over $1 billion released to them.  Can anyone doubt tat they will use these funds to further their support for terrorism and against the US?

This is a matter of national security.  Iran is driving to get a ICBM program  in place, so they can deliver a warhead to Israel and the United States.

In addition the Ayotollah continues to chant “Death to America!” “Death to Isreal”  Last week he said that Israel will know no peace until they are destroyed in no longer than 25 years from now.

Why does King think this is a good deal?

How can support for the Democratic party be more important than the security of our country?

He can’t.  He is defending the Democratic party over our national security.

Wrong again.