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I was listening to talk radio today, and think I got this idea while listening to Jason Lewis. He was talking about the government trying to help people by giving them some sort of handout or benefit, and how that obviously comes at the expense of others – those who work hard get their success taken away from them. Government can not give to someone what it does not take away from someone else. What I was thinking is this: What really levels the playing field for people is when government does NOT get involved. I know, that’s not very earth shattering. But, if you think about it, that’s a little different than the typical conservative or libertarian talk. What you usually hear is that government should not be in the ______ business (fill in the blank). We often talk about the negative part of government – the over-reaching arm of the government either through regulation, un-Constitutional laws, taking over companies or industries, rewarding failure and downright socialism.

Let’s adjust our thinking a little bit here. Instead of thinking about what the government does that is negative (at all levels, local, state and especially federal), let’s think about what can they do that would be a positive thing to level the playing field for everyone? Well, it’s not really what can the government do….it’s more what they would NOT do to level the playing field. The best thing that government can do to help it’s citizens, is to stay out of the business of trying to make things fair and stop trying to make it so people cannot fail. But really, that’s not the whole story, either. Existing un-Constitutional laws need to be repealed, un-Constitutional departments need to be closed down, taking their regulations that were not voted into law with them. The less government does, the more even the playing field is for everyone. No more corporate welfare and regulations that benefit just a few companies. Level the playing field by not punishing people and business, and by not taking away what they have earned to give to someone else that has not earned anything. Give everyone an equal opportunity to succeed or to fail. When government attempts to take away the chance to fail, it also takes away opportunity to succeed.

Time and time again in history, there have been examples how socialism/communism has not worked. Why do we have to keep repeating these failed ideas over and over? Capitalism has proven to be the best way to prosperity for all. Property rights, political and personal freedom, liberty, hard work, personal charity – all together, these have been proven to be our best hope to become and stay a great nation. Many of the most recent presidential administrations have forgotten this principle. Growth of governmental powers should frighten us. More and larger government means less freedom and liberty. As in one of my previous blog entries, we need to get back to the basics.

I’ve been watching some TV shows online (for free) that Milton Friedman created in 1980. The title of the series is “Free to Choose.” You have probably at least heard the name Milton Friedman. He was a Nobel Prize winning economist that favored capitalism and market forces dictating economic policy. I agree with almost all of his viewpoints regarding the economy, politics and the like. If you watch the videos, you’ll see that Friedman’s theories are just as applicable today as they were in 1980, 1880 and 1780. You can view the shows from THIS website.

The shows are very entertaining. The first half each hour long show is a documentary-like presentation by Friedman. The last half of the show is a debate/discussion with Friedman joined by 4 or 5 other ‘experts’ with different viewpoints. They sometimes get into a little heated banter that is fun to watch.  That is if you like economics like I do.

The videos would be great for young people, especially high schoolers to watch for economics class. I wish I would have been more interested in this type of thing when in high school…but that’s a different story. Friedman also wrote a BOOK with the same title, to go along with the video. Or you can check out some of his OTHER BOOKS.

Another great economist is Henry Hazlitt. He wrote some great books, including Economics in One Lesson, which you can read free online HERE. Hazlitt also wrote The Failure of the “New Economics where he debunks Keynesian economics, which has hurt economies in the US and other countries, and has also led to socialist policies.

All this may sound boring if you don’t think you have an interest in economics or politics. But if you give it a chance, you may find an economist or politician deep down inside you. It may at least make you aware of the direction our country is headed and get you to write some letters or call your elected officials to let them know your viewpoints.

Google Click this Link to watch on Google