What an appropriate name for you.

“Keynes was delusional. He was a child in an adult body.”

This from the guy who goes by a profanity and uses a fake email. Thanks for my daily does of libertarian crazy (redundant, I know).

p.s. Krugman is just another misled fool with an Ivy League post who likes to hear himself speak. He knows nothing about economics. Understand scarcity and the division of labor. In short, if you don’t read von Mises you will never understand economics. Wealth CAN NOT be created out of thin air. Fiat currencies have always failed and will continue to do so. ie: Germany in 1919. The paper, fiat currency was so worthless people were heating their homes with it. Look at Zimbabwe today. Keep printing paper “money” and watch it die.

Thought I’d thread jack Kennedy. I figured he wouldn’t mind since the discussion would be on welfare, wealth redistribution, the constitution, and the role of the federal government. All things Kennedy work for / with.

I’m glad you responded. You were one of the people I was truly hoping to hear from because I thought you would take a genuine and honest crack at explaining things to me. As I’ve said in posts on the M* blog, I don’t so much want to debate the issue as understand another perspective. I’m hoping I can get there through some questions and your explanations if you have the patience. )

My point of view tends to center on a strict constructionist interpretation of the Constitution with a solid emphasis on the 10th amendment. There are many portions of the federal government that I don’t agree with because of this. Oddly, I have less of an issue with state policies that perform the same functions. For example, my state (VT) has a health care program that is taxpayer funded for kids, Dr. Dynosaur (don’t know who came up with the spelling), and a health care program for adults who’s employers don’t offer health care, Catamount Health Care. I have considerably less of an issue with these than I do with a federal program doing the same thing.

That said, they still irk me to some degree because I see taxes as overtly coercive in the sense that you pay them or go to prison. My personal opinion is that this should place a heavy burden on politicians to spend wisely and prudently. Things like highways, defense, courts, etc I have no real issue with paying for. It’s things like welfare, health care (especially abortion subsidies), and other social programs that I find harder to swallow. Perhaps this is me rebelling against authority? Or perhaps I’ve read too many stories about wastes in the system, and met too many people who have worked the system for their benefit.

In any event, regardless of my perspective I know there are plenty of intelligent, active, LDS people out there (such as yourself) who hold an entirely different view from myself on this issue. So, I’m hoping to understand the other side of the fence so to speak.

One thing I have noticed in the past, even on M*, is that often if I suggest that some government plan my not be a Constitutionally enumerated power for the federal government, people just brush it aside. I find this troublesome since our country has done pretty well (compared to the rest of the world) for 200+ years following the Constitution. So, I guess my first question would be do you believe that constitutionality should be a concern when deciding if the government should take action?

For example, health care for everyone would be nice. Should this be a federal program or a state program? Should the federal government mandate that the states provide it (which would seem like a federal program again).

My second question is do you believe taxes are coercive? Meaning do you believe that paying them is pretty much involuntary? I see it as pay your taxes or go to jail, but there may be another viewpoint here.

If taxes are coercive, is there an implicit burden on politicians to spend those dollars wisely and in a constitutionally mandated manner?

In the end I’m left feeling like I’m forced to pay for programs I don’t agree with (such as tax payer subsidies for abortions), and yet I have very little to no recourse. Even if I were to convince my congressmen he is either one of fifty in the case of the senate or one of 435 for the House. That means if I win over my representative I’ve won 2% or 0.23% of the 50% majority I need for something to happen in the legislative branch. This lack of empowerment or options is one of the things I chaff against.

Sorry for the long post. Hope you’re still awake. I look forward to your reply, because I truly hope to be able to see the other side of this issue. I’m tired of hearing pundits on both sides accuse the other side of being commie thieves or racist homophobes. I know that there are millions of genuine people who see this issue from each of these sides. I’m hoping to see both.

Thanks,
Doug

Anyways, thanks Brian.

2nd: This sentence “Schumpeter… Read More’s respect for the destructive nature of capitalism is similar to those that are amazed by the machines of war but who fail to notice or reverence the impact upon human life” really bothers me. The term creative destruction references the ever-changing economic landscape, not a destroying force that uproots and harms people. Creative destruction improves the human condition. People are able to get what they want and the constant presence of competition means that industries (including monopolies) must be constantly improving (creative destruction).

3rd: “He also argued that a strong Germany in the 1930s would protect Europe from communism and be a ’source of peace, order, and strength in Europe.’” Yes, he was wrong, but this is kind of fallacious argument isn’t it? Pointing out that he was wrong about Germany doesn’t mean everything else he said is wrong.

4th: Wasn’t he right about the … Read Moreexistence of capitalism and democracy? Pure capitalism does not exist anywhere, largely as a result of democratically elected leaders trying to engineer the economy to benefit their supporters in the electorate.

Thanks…..I think. The vomit comment was unfortunate. Of all the things to get noticed for.

concerning vomit worthy, a friend and I tried learning how to vomit on cue just for such instances in discussion