gave me so much to say that I ran out of space. However, although I consider Hayek to be one of the most brilliant thinkers of the 20th century, I’m sometimes slightly reluctant to recommend TRTS as a primer. Hayek’s political-economic subject matter is broader and more complex. And he is harder to read than the Friedmans. German, not English, was Friedrich’s first language. And, though he writes in English, his sentences have a tendency to end up in that German-
Trish Regan Reply: Wally, it’s important to be able to cut through the noise. I’m glad you appreciate clarity! Trish, I miss watching your show, you’re the best! – Patricia S. Trish Regan Reply: Patricia, I appreciate the kind words. Glad to have you here as a subscriber! I am a classically trained economist, who specialized in Monetary
style train wreck of verbs. But you’re right, Hayek is where people should go when they’ve digested the Friedman classics. As to your plea that “we must find a way, or we will be lost!!!” Phil D., below, has some useful suggestions about this serious worry. Re: How to Argue in Favor of Free Markets To P.J. O’Rourke: I’ve never read either of the books from Milton Friedman which you recommended in your email today, but i did watch Free to Choose on television. I think it was on PBS when it originally aired in 1980. (Yes, i am that old.) Fortunately for the young people you would like to reach, it is on streaming on Amazon prime—yes, Amazon!
theory/policy and a history of Economic thought; and you could not be more right... except probably should have included one other book: The Road to Serfdom, by Friedrich Hayek. But I must say the most profound comment in your piece was that you can argue the case, but cannot convince them! That is what was spot on!!! I share that view and that frustration. BUT... we must find a way, or we will be lost!!! – Gerry C. P.J. O’Rourke Reply: Thank you, Gerry, for intellectual support from a genuine intellectual. Funny you should mention Hayek. I had intended to include The Road to Serfdom in my article, but Milton and Rose Friedman
CHECK OUT OUR ONLINE ARCHIVE OF PAST ISSUES.
American Consequences
13
Made with FlippingBook - professional solution for displaying marketing and sales documents online