Capitalism and the Marketplace.

by guest columnist,

G. Patrick Henry

Despite the "flaws" in Capitalism, the "marketplace" is still the best check and balance system to control waste fraud and abuse, including so called, "excessive profits".

The alternative to a Capitalist political and economic system which is by Republicans, is a Socialist political and economic system, favored by Democrats.

Throughout history, Socialist political and economic systems have proven not to work for the long term benefit of the people. Socialism is too dependent upon an "individual leader" or a small group of "leaders" for it's success. Conversely, Capitalism depends upon the collective efforts of "individual" people, seeking to reach their fullest potential, unrestrained, to the greatest degree possible, by government influence. Now, of course, there is waste, fraud, abuse, and out right corruption in both systems. But, I contend, "abuses" by private sector entities are subject to the marketplace and are not nearly as damaging as "abuses" carried out by governments, including our own!

I specifically note the government Social Security and Medicare systems, two well intentioned programs, which absent "marketplace" oversight have become monumental disasters for the people! If these two woefully mismanaged "entitlement programs" were not on the books, our fiscal situation would be in great shape, including our current military expenditures and "national debt". And no one in government will ever be held accountable!

Whereas, in the private sector there is a pursuit of accountability , such as the so called "Enron" disasters of the world. Next in line is the public school system. Government involvement in the beginning was fine, but, over time, the public school system needed and still needs "marketplace " reform.

I could go on, but, in conclusion, fear not the "abuses" by Pfizer, Wal Mart, Exxon, and all the other "big corporation" and small businesses. Be more concerned with the central government planners "looking out for us".

As Ronald Reagan said, the scariest words one can hear are,

"I'm with the government and I'm here to help'!

It’s All About Power, Again.

The struggle between Congress and the President over the warrant-less wiretaps is about power, and who has it. It's not about Constitutional rights.

Have you ever heard so much about and issue where the parties affected, (we the people) are not complaining? Not one person has come forward to complain about their rights being violated. Of course there are those that would like to make the President look bad or want to keep close controll on Presidential powers so they are making a fuss. People know we are at war and the President, as the Commander in Chiefhas been charged with keeping us safe, and like it or not, once war has been declared certain additonal powers flow into his hands. That is what this is about. Some trust him some don't.

The irony of the problem is that the majority of the public want the President to keep doing what he’s doing, keep the country safe. The President has said that he has only authorized wire taps on calls made between al Kaida and US residents. I’m for that.

The press is doing what they do best, stir the pot of controversy. The New York Times had this non-story last fall and saved it for a time when they thought it might harm the President just like CBS wanted to break the non-story about the Presidents millitary record the weekend before the 2004 elections. Fanning disagreements between the two branches of government is food for the presses and sound bites for the TV shows like murder and robbery on the nightly local news. If it smells it sells, and if it doesn’t smell pour BS on it.
If you can get past the press and TV editors, with their own personal agendas, you begin to understand what the real issue is, control and power.

Congress has been doing nothing but desk pounding and camera hawking these days. Very little is being accomplished on the larger issues where Republicans, with their majority in congress and the presidency should be moving ahead on issues like tax reform, education, Social Security, and Medicare.

The opposition, without power, except with the help of a sympathetic press, is doing a very good job of delaying these issues from moving forward.
It took three months to get Alito confirmed even with Republican control of the Senate and the Senate committee. That tells you something about how ineffectual, slow, and full of itself congress really is.

I trust the President over Congress, any day, to keep us safe. He's proven he's good at it for nearly four and a half years.