Stitch,
A very insightful post, and I accept that my ideas tend to be oversimplified. It is indeed a complex world, but my thesis revolves around the concept of corruption, loosely defined, and not necessarily overt. In other words, the little guy is the one who pays in the end for the luxurious life styles of those with ties, direct or indirect to governments, who make the rules by which trade is accomplished. I find this morally repugnant. This is not to denigrate those who lead luxurious lifestyles won by their own hard work, luck, or skill. I refer rather to those who get favored regulatory or tax treatment (and bailouts!) after buying favor with governments, or by having personal relationships with government officials. I believe this goes on as we speak.
What to do about it? Here I am at a loss. I occasionally fantasize benign big government with regulations galore, but then I realize how corrupt such arrangements have historically proved to be. On the other hand, the feudal state is not one I visualize myself or my children prospering in, either. I am undecided but open minded.
Jack |
