The Spoiled Children of Capitalism
This is not directly Romney related, but I thought it really captured so much of what is wrong with the Left that many of you would enjoy reading it. Here’s an excerpt:
It’s an old story. Loving parents provide a generous environment for their offspring. Kids are given not only ample food, clothing and shelter, but the emotional necessities as well: encouragement, discipline, self-reliance, the ability to work with others and on their own. And yet, in due course, the kids rebel. Some even say their parents never loved them, that they were unfair, indifferent, cruel. Often, such protests are sparked by parents’ refusal to be even more generous. I want a car, demands the child. Work for it, insist the parents. Why do you hate me? asks the ingrate.
Of course, being an old story doesn’t make it a universal one. But the dynamic is universally understood.
We’ve all witnessed the tendency to take a boon for granted. Being accustomed to a provision naturally leads the human heart to consider that provision an entitlement. Hence the not-infrequent lawsuits from prison inmates cruelly denied their rights to cable TV or apple brown betty for desert.
And so it goes, I think, with capitalism generally.
Capitalism is the greatest system ever created for alleviating general human misery, and yet it breeds ingratitude.
People ask, “Why is there poverty in the world?” It’s a silly question. Poverty is the default human condition. It is the factory preset of this mortal coil. As individuals and as a species, we are born naked and penniless, bereft of skills or possessions. Likewise, in his civilizational infancy man was poor, in every sense. He lived in ignorance, filth, hunger, and pain, and he died very young, either by violence or disease.
The interesting question isn’t “Why is there poverty?” It’s “Why is there wealth?” Or: “Why is there prosperity here but not there?”
At the end of the day, the first answer is capitalism, rightly understood. That is to say: free markets, private property, the spirit of entrepreneurialism and the conviction that the fruits of your labors are your own.
August 3rd, 2008 at 9:21 am
This is off topic, but I just read a letter to Sen. McCain, by goofus mormon Orson Scott Card. He’s a Dem. who voted for Obama in the primaries. Right then I knew part of the reason he was doing so. One because because his judgement sucks. I’m not sure when he wrote it, but he said ” what does Romney have to offer you”Utah”. I would write Senator McCain, but my grammer sucks, so hopefully all you people out there will lay it out for McCain. I think one good point is that people are going to start feeling stronger about Obama and stopping him. Orson says he will win some southern states with Romney”Mormon” I disagree. I don’t this guy and where his heart is at, but it is bothersome. His mind runs wild, as do many other fiction writers.
August 3rd, 2008 at 1:41 pm
Aaron,
Could you post the link where you read the letter to McCain by Orson Scott Card?
I want to thank you for your comments here on ComMITTed. Don’t sell yourself short - you bring up good points and write with passion! I’m not a perfect “post” person, either.
As far as grammar goes, we all know that most people who comment on blogs are generally in a hurry, feeling compelled to comment, and typing quickly to get their point across. When I read comments, I’m reading to get information, gain understanding, glean a point to ponder, and maybe get a chuckle or two - not judging on conjugation and syntax. If you’re worried about grammar, I’ll pass along a hint that works for me: Try typing your comments on a Word document and let your computer edit spelling, sentence structure, punctuation, etc. (The computer isn’t always 100% correct, but it makes the job easier.) Then, copy and past your comments on the blog of your desire! It takes a minute or two longer – I don’t always do it – but it’s helpful.
Aaron, you’re a great soldier in Romney’s ranks and I’m glad you’re with us!
August 3rd, 2008 at 2:22 pm
Hey, thanks for your comments. I’ll let you form your own opinion about this article. He must be extremely driven to be doing this. I think I know what kind of guy he is. It really bothers me, ecspecially knowing he’s mormon. The website is http://www.ornery.org It’s on the front page, The link I got it from was the article6blog.com I wrote and them and told them they should not be giving it credibility. All said and done, it’s in the Lords hands. Sadly some mormons expect perfection out of fellow mormons and if it’s not there according to there perspective, than someone like Romney can really be disliked. I’ve seen some in North Carolina and other places. What they don’t understand is the Lord knows what he is doing.
August 3rd, 2008 at 6:06 pm
Great post. Thanks!
August 3rd, 2008 at 6:08 pm
I’ve seen the Card memo as well. Just remind yourself that he is a Democrat (a point not made by the outlets that are circulating it, rather, they fall all over themselves to highlight that he is a Mormon).
August 3rd, 2008 at 6:45 pm
Aaron, that article was a headscratcher…
Oh, well, maybe Orson Card and Harry Reid can do lunch sometime…
August 3rd, 2008 at 6:46 pm
Card is a democrate, folks. He is LDS (and a distant cousing of mine, but I’ve never met him) is a democrate. A center type, but an avid democrate just the same.
August 3rd, 2008 at 8:33 pm
Now Karen, formerly KKSM
I am often confused by OSC. Sometimes he says very cogent things, but on this topic, he has surely missed the point not to mention the mark. To say that he is misdirected, would be putting it mildly. To say he misunderstands certain aspects of the teachings of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints would be a gross understatement. If you ever read “Enders Game”, it gives some insight into his thinking.
Misdirection at it’s finest. Probably he and Harry Reid already did lunch and that is the problem!
Thanks Aaron for pointing this out.
August 4th, 2008 at 1:15 am
This is one great post! It sums up beautifully what I have struggled for years to put into words. Thanks for posting.
August 4th, 2008 at 6:57 am
Mitt is back! He’ll be on FoxNews this am, which probably means he’ll be all the channels. Let’s watch!!!!!Yesssssss!
August 4th, 2008 at 10:38 am
I just found this and probably have already missed Mitt, can anyone tell me what he said????
August 4th, 2008 at 11:28 am
Basically, much of the same. HE IS GOING TO THE OLYMPICS, to support our Americans. He said he does not expect a phone call, from McCain. Talked about what Obama does not stand for.
He said he will be holding our flag, over there.It’s all about the atheletes.
August 4th, 2008 at 12:04 pm
Thanks… I pray he is wrong about that phone call! K
August 4th, 2008 at 3:03 pm
I hope he’s wrong about that phone call, too - but he looked like he really meant it when he said he doesn’t expect to be asked.
August 4th, 2008 at 3:20 pm
Then I shall not vote for McCain, as i proves to me that he is easily led by the nose from the Evangalical taliban.
August 4th, 2008 at 3:40 pm
http://www.nyformitt.blogspot.com has videos of Mitt’s CNN and Morning Joe interviews.
August 4th, 2008 at 3:45 pm
Me as well, Karen. I will be absolutely heartbroken for us, for MITT’S FAMILY, and our country. Did you see McCain challenge Obama to demand the Dems off vacation and back to Congress to decide our energy fate.Great move on McCain’s part.Let’s see what happens. Obama stole Mitt’s state of Michigan with all that Mitt could have said there today about the economy. I’m sure Mitt could top all of it, but made me so upset, should have been Mitt talking the economy!!!!!!!
August 4th, 2008 at 3:59 pm
Well, it might be good if Mac loses to a an empty suit like Obama. To do what the evanglaical taliban did to Mitt… we deserve to lose. We deserve all we get in Obama. In 2 years, we’ll give him a GOP majority that he’ll either work with or fail. Then, in 12, we can see Mitt back against Mike H. and Mitt will sweep up.
August 4th, 2008 at 4:53 pm
Thanks, JA for the website to see videos of Mitt. I couldn’t find the CNN interview of MItt on the nyformitt site - I must be missing something. Would you please direct me? Thanks!
Chris, your “evangelical taliban” is spot-on!
August 4th, 2008 at 6:03 pm
Dig this:
http://blog.washingtonpost.com/sleuth/
August 4th, 2008 at 6:05 pm
2thepoint, you have to scroll down a little bit for the CNN video. Look for the heading “Obama Stooped to Dishonesty” and the video is right below.
August 4th, 2008 at 7:31 pm
Found it, JA. Thanks!
Mitt does a great job, again.
August 4th, 2008 at 8:08 pm
There is a poll out that has John McCain within single digits Barack Obama in Massachusetts. If its accurate…I wonder who could bring him over the top as VP?
August 5th, 2008 at 5:45 am
Three guesses, MITT. MITT, MITT!
August 5th, 2008 at 8:19 am
So now it’s MA, MN, NV, CO, UT, AZ, ID, OH, FL (where he lost by a very slim margin)… With Mitt, it’s sounding like a rout! Without him, it’s sounding like a maybe.
August 5th, 2008 at 8:22 am
PS. I doubt Mitt will say on national TV: “Yea, I’m the guy. Although Mac has not announced it, it’s really me.” He’ll say what others are saying. “I don’t expect a phone call. Mac has a whole lot of folks to choose from…etc.”
By the way. What happened to the Cantor explosion? When the other names were ‘leaked’ there was great excitement on the internet for about a week before the name yielded to another name? Cantor (while a good person, but apparently handpicked by the ET’s) excitement lasted less than 24 hours. Head fake?
August 5th, 2008 at 8:22 am
It’s also nice to see Mac back on message. Shows Romney is back from vacation.
August 5th, 2008 at 9:13 am
Don’t you guys think we underestimated the antiforces in the primaries. I mean yah were all aware of it, but to have a former Governor “Smuckabee” to pull all his tricks on McCain, to give voice to the antis and stir the pot, could anyone of seen it coming on such a massive scale. They’ve past the point of no return, were it has even more to do with the church. There egos and pride and compitition and hate are built up even more, than they would have without a Huckabee. This is part of the reason they don’t want Romney as VP. It is a victory over everything they’ve been fighting for. What I’m getting to is 2012. I think we underestimate there influence. It will be even worse then. They will spend the next 4 years warping there conregrations, hardcore. Now is the time for a qaurterback sneak and I am praying McCain will see the light. Please everyone, pray and write Senator McCain. I’m convinced it will work, but I have doubts on the details.
August 5th, 2008 at 9:14 am
I mean on Romney.
August 5th, 2008 at 9:33 am
Did anyone wonder why people with the mentallity that God chooses leaders “evangelicals leaders”, who have been so fanatical, that they profess Gods hand and backing, as many did with Smuckabee, even without a logical reason, other than phycotic like fanatism, that maybe the Lord wants Romney to be Pres?? If there so humble and skilled at seeing divine design and objective in there thinking and faithfull to the Lord and what his mysterious ways may be up to and want, If there so connected to God on all levels, including understanding how he works, did it ever cross there mind that they were in direct oppostion to his will and even fighting it?? These guys are not true men of God with great faith, born of spiritual experiences, countless and certain. They profess there doing Gods will and yet they are not intune with him on any level. This is bizarr and has me thinking what makes them tick, ecspecially when they appear so concerned about the big issues. I guess some people half to have something to do in this life. There simply playing the part, but not born of principle, prayer, faith, humilty, courage, greatness, listening to God ect. Honestly, I never liked James Dobson, I allways knew something was wrong with him. They probaly get alot of there stuff from Church Leaders “LDS” Tony Perkins, all of them. Not one of them exude that warmth of personality, born of faith, spiritual experiences, someone who is secretly principled. There is something wrong with all of them. It’s not hard to believe there rejecting the restoration.
August 5th, 2008 at 9:40 am
I meant to word part of my last comment more like this. Did it ever cross there fanatic self annointing minds, that maybe God wants Romney up there? These guys are so off it’s unbelievable. Personally, I try not to be to open with everyone, what I believe Romneys mission is, at least not fully. So I try to be carefull, but I will say this, the Lord is guiding Romney and he will climb.
August 5th, 2008 at 10:07 am
And Aaron, know it might not be his time this time. I want it to be. But it’s not my call. President Hinckley told him, when Romney asked him what he thought about him running for President,
“It will be a great adventure if you win. It will also be a great adventure if you lose.”
Great advise. The church is being brought out of obsurity. More are looking into the church because of all the evil they heard from pulpits from men who professed to ‘know god’.
August 5th, 2008 at 10:10 am
It’s largely there pride and envy, that leads to hate and all this crap.
August 5th, 2008 at 10:21 am
Yes Chris, it may not be his time just yet, but to much mystery and series of huge coincedences surround Romney. I don’t belive his time will be 2012. I think this has all been sychronized. Somehow it’s now. If it was 2012 and by chance he was’nt picked as veep, the only possible scenario I see is Secretary Of State, while is inspired to pick a Veep who will step down for Romneys run and not run. Personally I believe and not by coincedence, that way, way, way to much is going for him to be on the ticket either way. I don’t believe but he’ll be Secretary Of State. Everything says he’ll be on the ticket. Ofcourse other than his faith. I believe all this has been sychronized with two Democratic candidates that Americans will never elect and that is Obama and Hillary. If Obama does become Pres. I don’t believe it will be untill 2016 or 2020 and that has alot to do with McCains health and when Romney would takeover. I’m just convinced, Romney is center of these elections.
August 5th, 2008 at 11:02 am
NY for Mitt has a lot of good articles on Mitt:
http://nyformitt.blogspot.com/
August 5th, 2008 at 4:50 pm
On the topic of Orson Scott Card, I’m a fan of his work, I have quite a few of his novels. Ender’s Game is one of my favorites. However, the man isn’t just a Democrat, he’s basically a Communist. I don’t care one whit for his opinion on anyone running for political office. Good books, though.
August 5th, 2008 at 6:01 pm
To all who have commented on Orson Scott Card - thank you for the background info. Explains a lot.
Doug & Darlene - appreciate the link to nyformitt blog. The McCain ad featured there is his strongest one, yet. JM’s strong points are highlighted and the fact that Mitt’s campaign mantra of “Washington is broken” is used says more than meets the eye…
On the same blog, scrolling waaay down to the msnbc website (Hardball with Mike Barnicle substituting for Chris Matthews) “”Romney is the #1 Pick”: Both commentators, Susan Page and Jim Warren had only positive remarks for ROMNEY. “Tested, good on debates, Mormonism could help in key western states, reinforces Obama’s INEXPERIENCE, by far the strongest possibility for GOP Veep.
On the DEM side, both Page and Warren feel that JOE BIDEN is the strongest pick for Obama. Their comments on him: Bright on foreign affairs, Catholic, blue-collar workers like him, could bring Pennsylvania, BUT he’s garrulous and is a long-time Washington INSIDER – elected to Senate in 1973. Might be better as Secty of State…
We’re in a “sleepy” news cycle right now regarding Veep picks, but as Barnicle stated, this VP process is deadly serious and political calculations are definitely going on here.
IF Biden and Romney were the VP picks, how do YOU think they stack up against each other? Strong points – weak points? Ol’ Joe (and the cronies behind him tough, grizzled Washington establishment) and Biden goes for the jugular every time; but, in my opinion, Romney could take him.
What say you?
August 5th, 2008 at 6:25 pm
Who said first Washington is broken! Was it not Mitt??? Oh yeah, it was! New ad for Mccain says, knows Washington is broken and he is going to fix it.
August 5th, 2008 at 6:43 pm
2thepoint - Biden would be a good pick for Obama because he’s sharp and actually seems to know what he’s talking about for the most part. He also has the experience which Obama is lacking. It would make for in interesting VP debate if he took on Mitt, but no question Mitt could handle him.
August 5th, 2008 at 7:18 pm
I would hope that Biden is Obamessiah’s pick. Biden is not quite as left as Obama, but a darn close second.