Why Libertarianism Doesn't Work For Me

cap·i·tal·ism [káppit’l ìzzəm] noun
free-market system: an economic system based on the private ownership of the means of production and distribution of goods, characterized by a free competitive market and motivation by profit.

“I think that Capitalism, wisely managed, can probably be made more efficient for attaining economic ends than any alternative system yet in sight, but that in itself it is in many ways extremely objectionable.”
John Maynard Keynes (1883–1946), British economist.
The End of Laisser-Faire (1925).

I’ve stated my philosophy about the pros and cons of government control, ad nauseum, on this forum. But, since you’ve reiterated the Libertarian platform again, here’s the wheelslip rant:

Capitalism is the fairest and most successful economic system yet devised. It allows all citizens to compete for the treasure available to those who would succeed at their endeavor of choice.

All citizens are not equally equipped to win the capitalist race. By definition, the mathematics of capitalism allows for one winner relative to the distribution of a given product. The stronger must always corner an entire market to fulfill the definition of capitalism.

Greed and the lust for power will drive capitalists to utilize illegal and immoral means to achieve the ultimate capitalist success. When the effects of their abuse become too obnoxious for the citizenry, politicians that “will” control the errant capitalists will be elected. Regulation returns economic conditions to an environment that is suitable for the consumer as well as the investor.

In reaction to the unacceptable regulation of capitalism’s lust for the optimal bottom-line (zero cost of production and maximum selling price) investors have spent enormous resources to defeat the regulators. Get them voted out of power or blackmail them with floods of political contributions. One–by-one, services that are basic necessities for the average American have been placed into the arena of legal, environmental, and economic disarray. The philosophy of lassiez-faire capitalism permeates our health, pharmaceutical, power, petroleum, insurance, transportation, radio, television, telephony, chemical and newspaper industries. The present administration is presently experimenting with our military, social services and educational system. In each and every of the preceding industries, administrators have used whatever tactic necessary to assure healthy profits over public benefit.

In conclusion, I challenge any reader to justify the deregulation of “any” of the preceding industries when compared to the long-term damage that has been resultant from “less government intrusion.”
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