Rand Paul on Regulations

Article comparing free markets to social democracy

This is a good article that explains why Europe's strategy of high social welfare stifles economic innovation and is a net detriment. Here is an excerpt:

Keeping America's Edge

The United States is in a tough spot. As we dig ourselves out from a serious financial crisis and a deep recession, our very efforts to recover are exacerbating much more fundamental problems that our country has let fester for too long. Beyond our short-term worries, and behind many of today's political debates, lurks the deeper challenge of coming to terms with America's place in the global economic order.

Our strategic situation is shaped by three inescapable realities. First is the inherent conflict between the creative destruction involved in free-market capitalism and the innate human propensity to avoid risk and change. Second is ever-increasing international competition. And third is the growing disparity in behavioral norms and social conditions between the upper and lower income strata of American society.

These realities combine to form a daunting problem. And the task of resolving it turns out not, by and large, to be a matter of foreign ­policy. Rather, it compels us to consider how we balance economic dynamism and growth against the unity and stability of our society. After all, we must have continuous, rapid technological and business-model innovation to grow our economy fast enough to avoid losing power to those who do not share America's values — and this innovation requires increasingly deregulated markets and fewer restrictions on behavior. But such deregulation would cause significant displacement and disruption that could seriously undermine America's social cohesion — which is not only essential to a decent and just society, but also to producing the kind of skilled and responsible citizens that free markets ultimately require. Moreover, preserving the integrity of our social fabric by minimizing the divisions that can rend society often requires ­government policies — to reduce inequality or ensure access to jobs, education, ­housing, or health care — that can in turn undercut growth and prosperity. Neither innovation nor cohesion can do without the other, but neither, it seems, can avoid undermining the other.

The Ultimate Argument Against Socialism

David Hume gave a good explanation for why socialism is a bad idea 250 years ago:

An Enquiry Concerning the Principles of Morals:

But historians, and even common sense, may inform us, that, however specious these ideas of PERFECT equality may seem, they are really, at bottom, IMPRACTICABLE; and were they not so, would be extremely PERNICIOUS to human society. Render possessions ever so equal, men's different degrees of art, care, and industry will immediately break that equality. Or if you check these virtues, you reduce society to the most extreme indigence; and instead of preventing want and beggary in a few, render it unavoidable to the whole community. The most rigorous inquisition too is requisite to watch every inequality on its first appearance; and the most severe jurisdiction, to punish and redress it. But besides, that so much authority must soon degenerate into tyranny, and be exerted with great partialities; who can possibly be possessed of it, in such a situation as is here supposed? Perfect equality of possessions, destroying all subordination, weakens extremely the authority of magistracy, and must reduce all power nearly to a level, as well as property.

We may conclude, therefore, that, in order to establish laws for the regulation of property, we must be acquainted with the nature and situation of man; must reject appearances, which may be false, though specious; and must search for those rules, which are, on the whole, most USEFUL and BENEFICIAL. Vulgar sense and slight experience are sufficient for this purpose; where men give not way to too selfish avidity, or too extensive enthusiasm.

Who sees not, for instance, that whatever is produced or improved by a man's art or industry ought, for ever, to be secured to him, in order to give encouragement to such USEFUL habits and accomplishments? That the property ought also to descend to children and relations, for the same USEFUL purpose? That it may be alienated by consent, in order to beget that commerce and intercourse, which is so BENEFICIAL to human society? And that all contracts and promises ought carefully to be fulfilled, in order to secure mutual trust and confidence, by which the general INTEREST of mankind is so much promoted?

Examine the writers on the laws of nature; and you will always find, that, whatever principles they set out with, they are sure to terminate here at last, and to assign, as the ultimate reason for every rule which they establish, the convenience and necessities of mankind.

Open letter to Google and Microsoft

SUPPORT RON PAUL

This is it folks. This is the chance to change the world for the better. Microsoft, Google, you both have the money to be able to influence the outcome of the elections. Why let big oil and other companies in the military industrial complex decide the direction of the country?

Bill Gates, you're spending over $20 Billion dollars of your own money to help the poor around the world. How about you spend some of that money to help get elected a man who cares about and understands the country more than any other politician? Isn't America the nation that gave you platform to become as wealthy as you are? Isn't it your duty to help bring this amazing man into office?

For 20 years, Ron Paul has been the ONLY voice in Congress that has consistently spoken out against government taxation/spending. He has been the ONLY voice to speak out against the inflationary monetary system that has eaten away at the middle class. He has been the ONLY voice to speak out against the broken borders. He has been the ONLY voice on all of the issues that are integral to America's future.

Google, Microsoft, there is no man in the world who, in the role of a politician, would do more for your business than Ron Paul. He would bring back sound money (versus inflationary federal reserve money controlled behind closed doors by a elite few), real economic growth, and respect for the law (e.g. he would enforce immigration laws which are being pissed on everyday). He is the ultimate pro-stock market candidate. He is the ultimate pro-freedom candidate. He is the best politician in the world precisely because he is the one that wants to limit the power politicians yield the most. Google, Microsoft, the world needs your help.