"Every government interference in the economy consists of giving an unearned benefit, extorted by force, to some men at the expense of others."

"One of the methods used by statists to destroy capitalism consists in establishing controls that tie a given industry hand and foot, making it unable to solve its problems, then declaring that freedom has failed and stronger controls are necessary."

Ayn Rand

Rand put it best in her 1973 article, “Censorship: Local and Express”:

“The conservatives see man as a body freely roaming the earth, building sand piles or factories -- with an electronic computer inside his skull, controlled from Washington . The liberals [the Democrats] see man as a soul freewheeling to the farthest reaches of the universe -- but wearing chains from nose to toes when he crosses the street to buy a loaf of bread.”

Further on, she notes:
“…Each camp wants to control the realm it regards as metaphysically important; each grants freedom only to the activities it despises….. ‘Control,‘ to both camps, means the power to rule by physical force. The conservatives want to rule man’s consciousness; the liberals, his body.”

Monday, February 23, 2009

Capitalism: The Unknown Ideal - Part 2

So what's so special about Capitalism? I mean, having the government take care of all your needs sounds like a pretty good deal, right? Why should I have to work for my food, shelter and clothing? And why not send my kids to the best school that politicians can create. (Talk about the dumbing down of America.)

What do people require to live as human beings? Certainly the things listed above, health care, among others. So, if you were alone on a desert island, how would you get what you need? Humans use reason to survive. Only humans do. That means free use of your mind in order to live like a human being.

So, now if you're not living alone, but living with other people in a civilized society, do you still need reason? Why not just leech off of others? I mean, if someone else is willing to provide for you while you sit around, what the heck? That's fine if you can work it. Of course, if everyone did that, who would be left to provide it all? If I'm forced to provide for you, who will provide for my family?

Assuming most of us need to produce in order to survive, which social system is consistent with our requirements for survival? The one that allows you the freedom to use your mind as you see fit to live as you see fit as long as you don't interfere with the rights of others? Or the one that endorses the moocher, and puts a barrier in front of every productive person and essentially prevents him or her from using their means of survival? This is why Capitalism is the only moral system. It's the only one consistant with human freedom. Capitalism is freedom, socialism is slavery.

Capitalism sounds good in theory, you say, but how about in reality, especially given most societies in history have gone the way of totalitarianism in its various forms (socialism, communism, facism, etc) and seem to last, some for centuries. They seem to work, right? Besides, in a Capitalist country won't greedy people take advantage of the honest working man? How about those who can't produce? Who will take care of them?

Next - Why Capitalism has to work and does. And why it's never been tried.

Left Coast Capitalist
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