| The economic crisis that began in the summer of | | | | That is why we have three branches of |
| 2007 caused capitalism's strictest adherents to | | | | government. They understood a very |
| momentarily question the validity of capitalism. | | | | fundamental reality. Government at its best is but |
| Could the world's most respected and time-tested | | | | a necessary evil (Thomas Paine). Our founders |
| free-enterprise system be responsible for the | | | | fought to create a country unparalleled in the |
| near collapse of America's own economy? In a | | | | history of man. A country in which government is |
| blinding snow storm it is difficult to get your | | | | intentionally fractured and split into three parts |
| bearings just as in the midst of a cataclysmic | | | | necessarily creates a weak government, where |
| economic downturn, it is difficult to pinpoint the | | | | power is shared and not monopolized. Our |
| causal factors. Fingers point in all directions. | | | | founders did this so that the American Dream |
| Opponents of an unfettered free-market system | | | | could become a reality to future generations. |
| were happy to join the chorus of government | | | | What is the American Dream? It is the idea that |
| and media critics of capitalism in denouncing its | | | | individuals or families can rise from poverty to |
| very existence, calling for more government | | | | wealth in one or two generations and keep most |
| regulation and oversight. | | | | of that wealth to themselves and out of the |
| Capitalism is not pretty. It's peaks and valleys are | | | | government's hands. It is the idea of unlimited |
| often devastating to hard working individuals, who | | | | prosperity and the individual's right to that |
| find, for no reason of their own, unemployment | | | | prosperity (property rights). Those who embrace |
| on the other side of the valley. Capitalism is unfair. | | | | the American Dream, who chase it and catch it |
| At its best, it benefits those who take on risk, | | | | and thus, benefit from it financially, should be |
| innovate and manage to survive its ravages. The | | | | honored and held up as heros to our children in |
| benefits are often obscene, even to the most | | | | homes and schools across the nation. The very |
| stalwart proponent. At its worst, it pulls the rug | | | | idea of taxing wealthy individuals more than |
| from underneath families and loved ones in the | | | | everyone else is antithetical to the American |
| form of terminations and downsizing. The costs | | | | Dream. Taxing those who achieve the American |
| are also, often obscene, even to the most | | | | Dream more than everyone else sends a loud |
| stalwart proponent. But Capitalism, despite all of | | | | and clear message: The American Dream is bad |
| its flaws and inequities, is a marvelous system. | | | | and anyone who realizes the American Dream will |
| When it is working, it does not create a few jobs, | | | | be punished by the government. Why is it that |
| it creates millions. When it is working, it does not | | | | immigrants from the corners of the earth risk life |
| benefit a few, it benefits many. When it is | | | | and limb to get to America? The American |
| working, family, friends and neighbors can afford | | | | Dream. Why is it that an individual would desire to |
| to live in homes that are the envy of the world. | | | | create DOS and then Microsoft (Bill Gates)? The |
| When it is working we can afford to send our | | | | American Dream. Why is it that an impoverished |
| children to colleges and universities. Capitalism is | | | | child from Scotland can create the largest steel |
| the best economic model that ever existed in the | | | | company in the world (Andrew Carnegie)? The |
| history of man. And it cannot be regulated. Not by | | | | American Dream. The stories of poor individuals |
| the U.S. government, not by a world-wide | | | | succeeding in America is well-known. We have |
| consortium, not by God. It can only be destroyed | | | | something no other country in the world has ever |
| or set free. | | | | had - we have the American Dream.This dream |
| Right now capitalism, is being destroyed. | | | | requires the existence of capitalism. Unfettered |
| Well-meaning government bureaucrats, who | | | | capitalism (meaning very little government |
| mistakenly believe they have the capability to | | | | interference and competition with the private |
| manage capitalism, are destroying it. Regulations | | | | sector). |
| and mandates to fine tune our capitalist system, | | | | Today the American Dream is at risk, as a |
| are instead, acting like chemotherapy - attempting | | | | dependency mindset is being fed to the masses |
| to kill the deficiencies of capitalism, without killing | | | | by our federal government and as the |
| the patient. But the patient is dying. Government | | | | government attempts to emasculate capitalism |
| interference in the private sector is tearing at the | | | | through regulations and mandates. As capitalism |
| fabric of capitalism. Government's effort to | | | | goes, so too goes the American Dream. The |
| manage capitalism through greater regulation is | | | | concept of the redistribution of wealth is fatal to |
| doing far more harm than good. Through | | | | capitalism and the American Dream. Punitive |
| regulation, it is trying to manage capitalism's latest | | | | taxation of those who achieve the American |
| valley, what is being called the Great Recession. | | | | Dream (politicians call them the "wealthy"), so their |
| The jobless recovery is a symptom of | | | | wealth may be redistributed to lesser achievers |
| government working against capitalism and not | | | | acts as a disincentive to future American |
| for it and it will continue until those in leadership | | | | Dreamers. Punitive taxation of the successful, the |
| grasp the fundamental truth vis-a-vis capitalism: it | | | | wealthy, the American Dream achievers results in |
| cannot be managed. | | | | fewer jobs and, thus, less wealth for everyone, |
| Today there is a chorus of voices singing the | | | | not just for the wealthy. The unemployed cannot |
| need to tax the wealthy. These voices have | | | | innovate, pay taxes or contribute to society. In |
| many rationalizations. Some argue that higher | | | | fact, they are a drain on society. The cause of |
| taxes on the wealthy is necessary in order to | | | | our current jobless recovery is the federal |
| prevent higher deficits. Some argue that the rich | | | | government's war on capitalism and the American |
| simply do not pay their fair share of taxes. Some | | | | Dream. This is intentional. Our federal government |
| argue that it is necessary in order to preserve | | | | has become too powerful and is seeking more |
| our middle class. All of the arguments are great | | | | power over the lives of ordinary Americans. If |
| sound bites. These voices, I believe exist because | | | | this administration succeeds in its efforts to |
| they have never been educated at home or in | | | | socialize America, it will mean the end of the |
| our school system as to American principles. The | | | | American Dream and the end of America as we |
| American Dream is not a dream of government | | | | know it. Instead of immigrants risking life and limb |
| providing for our every need, as many have been | | | | to reach our shores, the tables will be turned. It |
| taught. Rather, it is the idea that we are, as | | | | will be Americans leaving our shores (our children) |
| Americans, self-reliant. Our founders went to | | | | to seek the American Dream elsewhere. |
| great lengths to limit the powers of government. | | | | |