In an article in the Feb 3, 2008 Dallas Morning News, titled “Philosophy of Failure” (section P - Points) by Stefan Theil, “French and German students are being indoctrinated to believe that capitalism is immoral”. Germany’s new Chancellor, Angela Merkel who promised free market reforms has instead “imposed a new ‘rich person’s tax’, has tightened labor market rules, and promised renewed efforts to ‘regulate’ globalization”. In France, students are taught that “Economic growth imposes a hectic form of life, producing overwork, stress, nervous depression, cardiovascular disease and, according to some, even the development of cancer”. That same text claims that the last 20 years have “doubled wealth, doubled unemployment, poverty and exclusion, whose ill effects constitute the background for a profound social change.” Now for the really scary part from that text, “ an awareness of the limits of growth and the risks posed to humanity [by economic growth], any future prosperity depends on the regulation of capitalism on a planetary scale.” Uh- does anyone read Communism in that statement? In 10th grade, Germany teaches its students what to do about unemployment. Nothing said about job creation or starting businesses. Instead, it encourages them to organize self-help groups and join weekly anti-reform protests “in the tradition of the {formerly Communistic} East German Monday demonstrations”. “When French students graduate, they learn the benefits of a ‘Tobin Tax’ on the movement of global capital.” Essentially, “Europeans learn that companies destroy jobs while government policy creates them. Employers exploit while the states protect. Free markets offer chaos while government regulation brings order. Globalization is destructive, if not catastrophic. Business is a zero sum game, the source of a litany of modern social problems.”
With this attitude, it is no surprise that France and Germany have persistently, high unemployment, low innovation and entrepreneurship. However, there are many more implications. Their aversion to globalization could lead to trade barriers and those would negatively impact our own economy. It should never be forgotten that the worldwide enactment of trade barriers in the late 20s and early 30s turned a recession into a very long lasting Depression. Also, as their economies continue to stagnate, it can fuel social unrest that eventually could lead to revolution. May sound like only a remote possibility, but let us never forget that the only two World Wars the Earth has faced started in Europe. It cost us plenty of blood and money to bail them out. Furthermore, it was Europe’s military weakness and foolish lack of will to enforce its own peace treaties that enabled Germany to start WWII. Today, Europe is again militarily weak and doesn’t have the will to enforce UN agreements or supply troops to fight today’s battles against terrorists, content to leave it to the USA and criticize us to boot.
The danger doesn’t end in Europe. Liberal activists and zealots that could never win political victories to establish communistic or socialistic governments here, have instead targeted news media (TV, newspapers, magazines) and universities in an attempt to cultivate an increase in social attitudes leading to the false belief in the evils or capitalism and corporations. The major news organizations consists of journalists who have been surveyed to ascertain that their voting preferences are about 95% Democratic. No balance of views there. For the most part, University professors who do not kow-tow to liberalist viewpoints fail to gain tenure and fail to gain promotions. In other words, the push is on here, in a more subtle way, by the believers in socialism, communism, political correctness, and all things liberal to push America into the politics of failure so unwisely practiced by most of Western Europe. They avoid using the clear words of socialism and communism that lead to immediate rejection by most of us, but their goal is the same. They are patient. Be ever on guard. Your freedom and your economic welfare are at stake.
Note – suggest reading my 4/16/2008 post on Capitalism.
Getting it Right - Welcome
The goal of this blog is to publish my thoughts on a variety of economic and political topics in the hopes that people who find them educational or beneficial will utilize them and/or forward to others who might find them interesting and/or worthwhile to promote to others, possibly including politicians who can push some of these ideas to fruition. The topics in my blog are meant to be of value on a long term basis, not a daily diary or political issue of the day log. If the information posted is useful to you, by all means utilize it and/or forward it as you see fit. If not useful, then merely ignore it. There are no universally agreed upon truisms and too little tolerance between some of those with opposing viewpoints to successfully convince the people with hardened opinions to move away from them. I am an analytical type person who will try to be as factual as I am able.
I disdain the current popularity of name calling and condemnation of viewpoints with no factual alternatives or logical solutions given that I see so often. If you don't have a solution based on fact and logic, then opt out of the discussion because you have nothing to contribute. My background is a degree in Economics from the University of Michigan and 39 years working in middle management jobs for a major retailer. My opinions are forged on the personal experence of life, family, friends, and work as well as triumphs and mistakes that I have made and hopefully learned from. My hope is that this blog helps you.
My first topic will be about personal finance. I chose that one first because most of us work long and hard just to survive but not all of us realize our dreams of becoming financially independent from the labors of our work. Much of our political votes/thinking also focus on the economy and in particular how well we are personally doing financially.
It is relatively simple, without sacrificing the enjoyment of living for 'today' and even at moderate incomes, to retire as a millionaire or multi-millionaire, if you focus on that goal consistently from a young age. It is also simple to ensure that your child or grandchild retires rich. It merely requires a one time gift of just $2,000 invested wisely and the passage of time. Please read my first post on this blog to learn more.
An index/schedule of past and future posts and their dates will always be updated so that it becomes the first post that you see below. If the date of a post that you wish to read is preceded by the word "Posted", then find it below or click on the title in the Blog archive to review.
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