Serving These Communities
Covering the Valley Since 1982
It is so frustrating to watch capitalism die. Pure capitalism has existed only briefly during the history of humanity. It began when the Constitution of the United States of America was ratified by 13 colonies that did not like each other, much less a large federal government, and ended when that constitutional government, established to protect state sovereignty, became the arbiter of justice and fairness amongst them.
Pure capitalism is defined as this: that all the means of manufacture and distribution of goods and services are controlled by the private sector. Such was the intent and actual consequence of the founding documents of America. However, since that founding, collectivist tyranny has advanced and the concept of individual liberty has yielded.
Wages, prices, employment, housing, insurance, health and education are meant to be determined by individual needs and capabilities. Local communities can agree to consolidate their capabilities to meet the needs of their less fortunate inhabitants. The only role for federal government was to protect the sovereignty of free people so that they may fulfill their needs and desires through elections and mutually beneficent efforts.
It has been accepted as fact that pure capitalism allowed for the rise and unfair business practices of the nineteenth century robber barons: moneyed men whose influence overwhelmed the House of Representatives. But which came first, the politician willing to accept bribes or the baron willing to pay for bad legislation to enrich both himself and our greedy representatives? I submit that both were equally guilty, but the barons could not subvert our constitution, only the legislative branch of our government can do that.
When the game was found out, those with the power to continue the game pointed their crooked fingers at the barons and, by default, capitalism. Admittedly, those few dishonest barons deserved no sympathy, however, the thousands of hard working and law abiding businessmen deserved no blame. Capitalism undeservedly became the enemy and Congress has waged a crushing war against free markets ever since. Most importantly, the bribery door has never been closed and while the barons are routinely demonized and thrown to the lions, Congress continues to accept their money for the usurpation of our liberties.
And why not? The industrial revolution was a consequence of business acumen. People who do not possess the talents nor have taken the risks necessary to succeed in business are content to eke out a living with minimal wages. The working man is the backbone of capitalism but how he loves to see the mighty fall. Representatives know this as well as the Roman senate knew that their electors loved to see Christians eaten by lions. And the circus continues.
What is the difference between Bernie Madoff and the Social Security Administration? Madoff used the funds of new investors to pay off current investors without investing their money. Instead he spent the money to lure more suckers (investors looking for a sure thing) and support a lavish lifestyle. SSA pays current retirees with the funds of future retirees without investing their money. Instead, they spend the money to lure more suckers (disabled, poor and often illegal voters looking for a sure thing) and support a lavish lifestyle for Congress. The difference? Congress made their own scheme legal while criminalizing such activities in the private sector. And how the social security recipients love to see Madoff fall.
How can Congress get away with such crimes? By making themselves indispensable to the voters. Will a retiree vote for social security reform? Will a single mother of eight on food stamps vote for welfare reform? Will a working man vote for an end to bailouts which keep his bankrupt employer’s doors open and his opulent benefits coming? Of course not. The Congress has so impoverished the people they “represent” that we must beg for the continuation of their malfeasance.
America is no longer unique as its Constitution allowed for. Our tyranny is reaching the zenith that all other totalitarian regimes have achieved and the only solution left for such a regime is the wholesale slaughter of its citizens. Enter universal health care and the circus continues. It is so frustrating to watch capitalism die.