Another Capitalist Thought...

[daniel3417]

I get this urge from time to time.

daniel3417, a staunch free-market, laz-fairre, Libertarian Capitalist:
We are in a market recession, which is defined as two consecutive quarters of negative GDP growth. We maintain the largest GDP in the world (probably ones of the largest debts, as well, though), and I might go as far to say that the general population has not seen a drastic drop in their standard of living. There are obviously some cases, but I know not a soul who has had to move out, sell their car, drop out of college, etc.

I don't mean to belittle the situation, but I just wanted to give us all a reality check on what the unbiased media has dubbed "an economic meltdown." Just a recession, which is perfectly healthy in capitalism.

When people ask what President Obama will do about it, I sincerely hope that 1) he does nothing and 2) that he doesn't have the power to do anything. However, both of those options which the Founding Fathers would've supported seem to be long gone. The President, a single man or woman, is gaining more and more power. No single person should ever have that sort of power simply because even with the most sincere efforts, one person can't effectively plan for the rest of us 300 million.

The market is such a beautiful creation. It does all of this for us. Obama says he doesn't want to reward greed, yet he continues to bailout these very greedy people he berates. Does that make sense? The free market (ALL OF US) is trying desperately to clean up the situation by saving more and spending less, thus allowing for only the most respectful and necessary businesses to perpetuate through this recession, but our efforts are diluted each and every time the socialist-moving Congress pushes through a Government Spending Bill. The Government is trying to allocate where the taxpayers' money goes in order to end this recession, but the free market would do that on its own if allowed.

Think about it! I take your money in hopes of effectively spending it in the best way for you. Do you not think that you can determine what's best for you better than me? I don't even know you!

The Government is not evil, despite what some radicals say. But it is impossible for a central entity to succeed in allocating assets. The free market does it by itself, and that's something that can be 100% proven. It's merely logic, as stated by the allegory above. So when people say the Government should do nothing, they are in effect offering the strongest, fastest way out of this recession.

Vote for the Libertarian in 2012.

[OnePimpTiger]

We are in a market recession, which is defined as two consecutive quarters of negative GDP growth. We maintain the largest GDP in the world (probably ones of the largest debts, as well, though), and I might go as far to say that the general population has not seen a drastic drop in their standard of living. There are obviously some cases, but I know not a soul who has had to move out, sell their car, drop out of college, etc.

I don't mean to belittle the situation, but I just wanted to give us all a reality check on what the unbiased media has dubbed "an economic meltdown." Just a recession, which is perfectly healthy in capitalism.

Good points. I keep hearing how this is the worst economic crisis since the Great Depression and comparisons to it by the media. People don't realize how bad the Great Depression actually was...and that we're nowhere near it. Unemployment currently stands at 8.5% as of March 2009 according to the US Dept of Labor. During the Great Depression, unemployment reached 24.9%, triple what it is now. Since late 2006, 342 US lending operations have folded. During the Great Depression, over 5,000 banks failed. Also, the Great Depression began in 1929. The US didn't start to sustainably recover until 1938. So if things continue to get worse for another 5-6 years, then we can start comparing to the Great Depression.

And aside from the statistics, like Daniel said, we haven't experienced anywhere near the same drop in standard of living as Americans did during the Great Depression. Yes, there are people who have experienced tremendous changes, but you can look at the unemployment rate and see the difference. In the 1930s, 1 out of every 4 Americans didn't have a job...today, it's less than 1 out of every 10. That alone tells us it's not nearly as bad.

I blame the unreal perception of how bad things are on three things. First and foremost, the media. They didn't have a multitude of 24-hour fear mongering news channels trying to fill time and get ratings back in the '30s. Second, people have gotten use to their cush lifestyles and think if they have to cut down on their text messages, cancel HBO, or, Heaven forbid, NOT buy a new car every year that things must be the worst they've ever been. And third, I blame the government, Bush admin included, but mainly Obama's admin since they're dealing with it the most, for thinking and making everyone else believe we need to get things straightened out immediately. As Daniel said, recession is a natural thing. The economy is cyclical...what goes up, must come down. And as high as things had gotten, it's no surprise to anyone who has a clue that things had to come down just as far. Exponential growth can not be sustained for extended periods of time. But that also means, that given time and the freedom to work appropriately, the market will come right back up as well.

If everyone would just realize that it's not that bad, it's a natural thing, and we need to just chill out, be patient, and let the best system in the world, the Free Market, do it's job, things will be just fine.

[daniel3417]

I never hear much from the dissenters when I post these...

Does anyone out there believe the way to get out of ANY recession is to increase Government spending (which is, of course, a decrease in consumer spending)?

[jessejordan419]

I don't mean to belittle the situation, but I just wanted to give us all a reality check on what the unbiased media has dubbed "an economic meltdown." Just a recession, which is perfectly healthy in capitalism.

Vote for the Libertarian in 2012.

You're right. This is just the natural ebb and flow of the free market. People use loopholes to make unethical decisions that hurt a small group of people, then government passes laws to close those loopholes. But......


So far, Robert Gibbs, Rahm Immanuel, Tim Geithner, and I believe Obama too have all stated:

"You can't let a crisis like this pass"

or something along those lines. These people, especially Immanuel, call CNN, NBC, etc. on a daily basis to basically tell the news agencies what to say on the news. They purposesly blow this out of porportion to advance their socialist agendas.

They also use the media to demonize private company ceo's. They published the list of ceo's/execs who received bonuses from the bailout on purpose to outrage the public and incite hatred for a free market system. What they don't tell you is that they approved these bonuses in 2008 when the legislation was written and voted on it.

These people are actually attacking our free market system to install a communist regime that controls all companies. They now are majority stockholders/voters for the banks, as well as GM and Chrysler.

Obama is following the playbook of his longtime mentor - Saul "The Red" Alinsky. Alinsky had very dangerous views about how to bring a capatalist system to communist rule, and the powers that be are following that playbook to a tee.



As far as voting Libertarian, did you vote for Ron Paul in the primaries? He's really just a Libertarian in Republican clothing to get a major party ticket. I grew up in his hometown of Lake Jackson, TX. Wish he would have gotten the coverage he deserved. Heck, Huckabee deserved more as well, anybody but that 25% socialist McCain.

[duwal]

yeah, other than the stock market numbers falling and the closing of some larger businesses I've barely even noticed any effects of the grave recession. I've probably spent more for me in the last few months, with a new muscle car and planning my trip to Comic Con, than I have the past couple years total. The recession during the Great Depression affected EVERYONE

[daniel3417]

As far as voting Libertarian, did you vote for Ron Paul in the primaries? He's really just a Libertarian in Republican clothing to get a major party ticket. I grew up in his hometown of Lake Jackson, TX. Wish he would have gotten the coverage he deserved. Heck, Huckabee deserved more as well, anybody but that 25% socialist McCain.

I voted for Romney in the primaries, but wish I had cast my vote for Paul now. The primaries were way before I stated realizing things, but I did vote for Bob Barr in the actual election.

If Paul ran as a Communist, he'd have my vote. His logic follows mine very closely.

[OnePimpTiger]

I voted for Romney in the primaries, but wish I had cast my vote for Paul now. The primaries were way before I stated realizing things, but I did vote for Bob Barr in the actual election.

If Paul ran as a Communist, he'd have my vote. His logic follows mine very closely.

Likewise...I voted Huckabee in the primaries and I do still like him. But overall, I line up much better with Paul than anyone else.

[drtom2005]

I never hear much from the dissenters when I post these...

Does anyone out there believe the way to get out of ANY recession is to increase Government spending (which is, of course, a decrease in consumer spending)?

I somewhat agree with you on this point. Most of the spending was to bail-out our failed private institutions. I do not think the current plan to bail out the banks is correct. The only two approaite responses would be to let the banks fail or nationalize them. With nationalization of the banks, the governement would get rid of the bad assets. Once the banks became solvent, the governement woud sell them. I think this may still come to pass. As for spending on social programs such a new power grid, I disagree that spending would not help. It better prepares us for the future.

[daniel3417]

I somewhat agree with you on this point. Most of the spending was to bail-out our failed private institutions. I do not think the current plan to bail out the banks is correct. The only two approaite responses would be to let the banks fail or nationalize them. With nationalization of the banks, the governement would get rid of the bad assets. Once the banks became solvent, the governement woud sell them. I think this may still come to pass. As for spending on social programs such a new power grid, I disagree that spending would not help. It better prepares us for the future.

To your first idea about possible nationalization of the banks and then their sale, I feel like that the Government is just becoming a middle man when none is needed. These "bad assets" could be dealt with in a free market with bankruptcies, liquidation, buyouts, auctions, etc. Feels like the Government is just trying to get some action.

The second very vague point about Government spending helping us "prepare for the future" I feel is not true. Government spending doesn't help us prepare for anything simply because politicians do not know how to spend money. Business owners, scientists, bankers, consumers, suppliers, you, me, us, them know how to spend money. The car helped us prepare for the future. The airplane helped us prepare for the future. The personal computer helped us prepare for the future. The innovations and spending of the People helped us prepare for the future.

The USPS, public education, Welfare, Medicare have only sucked away from potential production. All of them are huge forms of Government spending. Government officials are not capitalists with a stake in their spending and therefore, they cannot be expected to be frugal.

[drtom2005]

To your first idea about possible nationalization of the banks and then their sale, I feel like that the Government is just becoming a middle man when none is needed. These "bad assets" could be dealt with in a free market with bankruptcies, liquidation, buyouts, auctions, etc. Feels like the Government is just trying to get some action.

The second very vague point about Government spending helping us "prepare for the future" I feel is not true. Government spending doesn't help us prepare for anything simply because politicians do not know how to spend money. Business owners, scientists, bankers, consumers, suppliers, you, me, us, them know how to spend money. The car helped us prepare for the future. The airplane helped us prepare for the future. The personal computer helped us prepare for the future. The innovations and spending of the People helped us prepare for the future.

The USPS, public education, Welfare, Medicare have only sucked away from potential production. All of them are huge forms of Government spending. Government officials are not capitalists with a stake in their spending and therefore, they cannot be expected to be frugal.

Well if we let the free market take care of the banks, then the worldwide economy would go into a depression. The current plan is fleecing tax payers and I do not like it. There have been many economist that have said the best options is to nationalixe the banks for a few years and then sell them off once the bad assets are taken care of.As for government programs, I wish all the organizations in the governement worked like the USPS. You send something and it gets there in 2-3 days, highly effecient. With welfare and medicare, most people do not understand that we are paying for healthcare already. The biggest reason healthcare costs have balloned in this country is the un-insured coming to hospitals. ERs have to see people and good doctors will not turn people away. Costs are passed on to other people. Medicare/Medicaid has only 10% adminstrative costs. Private insurance takes 25-30% off the top. The government runs the VA effeciently. Everyone gets what they need. It is a good system.