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something else Id like to take, which is issue with that business about “10 of the happiest countries on the planet. Is it “‘bad’ economic ideas” that make them so happy? In the 1960s, when Sweden – one of those happy countries – was even more committed to socialism than it is now, there was a famous exchange between a Swedish economist and the great advocate for free markets, Milton Friedman. Swedish Economist : You know, in Sweden we have no poverty. Milton Friedman: That’s interesting, because in America, among Swedes, we have no poverty either. I Googled life in socialist countries and read articles concerning Europe, Korea, Australia and other countries. The conclusion for all of these countries is learning to do with less while paying more. The average citizen tax is 20%, gas $7-$10 a gallon. Housing, water and utilities are heavily taxed as much as 200% greater than the U.S., little to no free speech, free doctor visits can take a long time before an appointment is granted, and even owning a car can cost thousands of dollars in government taxes. Every aspect of life is government- controlled with little to no freedoms while combined taxes can reach 50% of your income. These socialist countries punish success and reward failure causing individuals to be dependent upon the state through handouts. The information is out there for anyone who wants to find out the
tragic failure of the 20th century. Born of a commitment to remedy the economic and moral defects of capitalism, it has far surpassed capitalism both in economic malfunction and moral cruelty.” Those “bad” economic ideas are successful in 10 of the happiest countries on the planet. “Socialism” has become a buzzword for “anything the Republican party is against”. Socialism is government ownership of all the means of production and transportation of goods. Nobody is suggesting anything like that. Karl Marx was the father of trickle-down economics. That is what does not work. What we have now is “socialism” for the very rich and Darwinist capitalism for the rest. Social Democrats/Democratic Socialists simplywant to use our tax money to benefit the poor and middle class, where it benefits the economy the most, rather than to continue to throw money at the very rich, who don’t need to be any richer. The wealthy aren’t creating jobs (job growth was faster under Obama by over a million jobs) they are hoarding cash in offshore accounts. Large corporations have record amounts of cash reserves. It’s time to stop throwing money at billionaires and invest in the true wealth of this country, which is its middle class! It’s time to do what is working in the rest of the civilized world! – David S. P.J. O’Rourke comment: David, I take your point. In the response to Maria M. above, I quote Prof. Heilbroner who makes no bones about capitalism having “economic and moral defects.” But, while I take your point there’s
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August 2019
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