DISQUS

ReACTIONary Cori, you've become an egalitarian!

I agree, government employees and elected representatives are not fundamentally superior to the rest of us. Neither are corporate CEO's, or UofC Economics professors, or anyone else who has developed their talents and abilities to some particular purpose, applied themselves to it, and won recognition and authority based on their efforts.

ReACTIONary Most of us think of taxes as a duty we owe to the community, and thus we put them in the category of "fair and equitable." Some (few) disagree, and for those who do, your characterization may seem apt.

Nonetheless, it makes no difference to the question, which is, can government create jobs? The market effect of an infusion of capital is going to be the same regardless where the money came from. If an individual saves money and then invests it in the stock market, the money was simply "redirected" from whatever she would have bought with it into whatever investment she selected. If the government taxes her and invests the money, it has the same effect; it is redirected from whatever she would have spent it on to the selected investment. In both cases nothing occurs other than "redirection." So if the government can't create jobs, neither can private investors. And if private investors can, then so can the government.

There are significant differences, however, and this is why it is sometimes legitimate to talk about "government created jobs." When the government tells us that it will create jobs it goes without saying that the jobs that will be created are for our fellow citizens. A private investor who starts up a widget factory will do so in the most efficient manner possible. Thus the factory might be located in China where the cost of labor is much less. The government widget factory will most certainly be located in some congress-critter's district. Vola! Jobs! That is, American jobs.

So, government investment has as much job-creating potential as does private investment, but it has a more certain effect on the local, as opposed to the global, job market.

Nancyf Both are criminal in their irresponsiblity.

Nancyf You mean because they are atheists? Hehehehehe....

Nancyf Stop calling me names. And to answer ur question; NO. They are not pure as the driven snow, but have MORE accountablity than the corrupt individuals who have so far driven our economy into the ground.

Nancyf I think they should all be required to obey the law and punished by it when necessary. Not given MORE to destroy. Bush tied the FTC's hands when it came to prosecuting crooks in business and in Wall street. What did you expect other than chaos? Maybe you will learn by experiening honest people's pain by living and walking in their shoes for a bit. Maybe sooner than you think. That what ye sow, also shall ye reap.

Nancyf What smaller amount? How much money do u think they've made all these years?

ReACTIONary I disagree.

ReACTIONary Public schooling has the most spectacularly successful record of any and all social programs ever conceived by mankind, in all of history. For four or five generations now my family has been the benifacators of this wonderful gift from the American people, and I support it unconditionaly as one of the true foundations of our freedom, wealth and happiness.

ReACTIONary Thanks Cori! I think you're right - focusing on "what it's called" is counterproductive. Looking at the situation without the filters and preconceptions of ideology may help us make better decisions.

ReACTIONary Who in the world said that our system is perfect? In fact, our system is just and fair because is isn't perfectionist - that is, we do not sacrifice all other social values for one particular value. We don't optimize freedom at the total expense of equality and we don't optimize equality at the total expense of freedom. That is what REASONABLE means.

As far as whether or not we are a capitalist society, that is how we identify ourselves, and for good reason. And I wouldn't have it any other way.

ReACTIONary Cori, do you have any children in public schools? Or other direct experience with our public school system? Let me assure you, from personal experience, public school teachers are not mere babysitters. On the whole they are hard working, dedicated professionals and they take their responsibilities seriously and do a good job.

john c cori ,skip those books and pick up a copy of jonah goldbergs liberal fascism. much more informative.

McCainisLame "The look on the faces of the slavers, leechers[sic] and corruptors[sic] of the Left will be priceless...when the first barrage from the guns of the revolution obliterate their vital organs."
O.O....... wow....
Neo-Nazis to the rescue?

McCainisLame I...I don't know Morpheus. Please set my mind free with the red pill. Send me tumbling down the rabbit hole and open my eyes. I want to enter The Matrix.