Capitalism isn’t simply a philosophy based on the way numbers trend, how to gain leverage, make money, or use debt as a resource. Much of the philosophy of capitalism is based on the human element. Without human nature, capitalism holds little water and socialism would do far better. Within the philosophy is the idea that businesses will put their money wherever they are most apt to grow it.
Last month I wrote a couple of pieces that challenged the mindset of you (and me). I basically said that our representatives are failures not because the offices are broken, but because the electorate is broken. They are properly representing their voting base – ignorant and crooked. If we want to change Washington, we must first change ourselves. So, let’s pull both of these points together.
Milton Friedman once said, “The way you solve things is by making it politically profitable for the wrong people to do the right thing.” This idea stems from the trust of a conservative/capitalist mind and the knowledge that politicians are trying to, as Milton put it, “buy votes”. In other words, our political figures are a type of business and as such, they will flux with the most profitable policies. It is OUR job as the “consumer” to set the market values of those policies.
Mr. Gingrich is a great example of political expediency. He knows what is currently trending up in the political market and throws his political capital into that commodity. The same is true of the rest of those who run our nation. Very few in Washington are there because their convictions pressed them to “make a difference”, they are spending millions to win an office for their own benefit. Congress has become a very cushy place to get a “job”.
Last November we sent a message to many congressional members – their stocks plummeted over night. We will have to do that this next November, and the November after, and the one after, ad infinitum. It is easy to get frustrated, but it is our JOB to keep them accountable. If Gingrich gets elected (still holding out for Paul), then it is our job to tell him what is politically lucrative. If he doesn’t adhere, then we pull our support and put the bum on the curb.
We constantly clamor about the lack of Constitutional knowledge our politicians have or adhere to, but we too often forget that before any article was written to establish a government body, WE THE PEOPLE were given the task of forming a more perfect union, establishing justice, ensuring domestic tranquility, providing welfare, securing our prosperity, and ordaining the Constitution. We have a responsibility too – and it is time we learned what it is and began doing it.
Original Post: The Sentry Journal
Excellent. You’re right on all points. I would add that the politicians have rigged the game. With only 53% of We The People paying taxes, the other 47% are acting in their own self interest when they provide more power – votes – to the self-interested politicians.
It’s hard enough to get the 53% to take responsibility and hold the politicians accountable. To the 47%, holding them accountable means something diametrically opposed to what you describe.
It’s an uphill battle, indeed….
While 47 percent pay no Federal taxes, it should not be assumed that all of them wish to remain so.The majority of those who have become wealthy were not born to wealth, and indeed as I did, started out in the 47 percent. I dare say, most of us started out that way. This assumption leads us to unnecesary pessimism that we cannot turn this around.
Another excellent point. I also started out at the bottom. So then the task is to promote the ideas in the original post above, but find a way to prevent people from falling into the dependency class, nay, the dependency state of mind…
If you don’t pay taxes like required, you should lose your voting rights until you square it away.
Simple.
Comment made in relation to Harry and the 53/47 ratio of taxpayers in America.