tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1550222691875074441.post4562936019779598956..comments2024-01-30T05:25:56.085-07:00Comments on A Teacher's View: Government Versus the Free Marketmmazenkohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06602797515366983639noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1550222691875074441.post-69158509324173915852008-09-08T11:01:00.000-06:002008-09-08T11:01:00.000-06:00Phreedomphan,Thanks for posting, and I will be cer...Phreedomphan,<BR/><BR/>Thanks for posting, and I will be certain to check out your site and the recommended reading you offered as well. As a teacher I always encourage my students to read both sides of the issue before drawing a conclusion, and thus, I read the blogs of both Paul Krugman and Gregory Mankiw each day.<BR/><BR/>In terms of fiscal conservatism, I'm sure your amusement comes from the fact that I'm fiscally conservative, not libertarian, though, in all honesty, I often vote for the Libertarian candidates. I assert that, like the first libertarian Henry David Thoreau, I am for limited government, but I am not anti-government. There are numerous issues - chief among them is protecting individual liberties - that must be handled by a efficient and effective government. A strong military, law enforcement, fire protection, disaster relief, and, yes, even public education are included.<BR/><BR/>As Edmund Burke noted, "the revenue of the state is the state." Thus, a poorly financed government is ineffective in its duties. I'm more practical than that, as was, I noted, Ronald Reagan. The problem with the current crop of "fiscal conservatives (sic)" is that they are so ideological they have no concept of what it actually costs to run a government (and I don't deny that there is waste, fraud, and abuse). However, P.J. O'Rourke said it best when he noted, "Republicans run on the idea that the government can't work, and then they get elected and prove it."<BR/><BR/>Thanks for commenting.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1550222691875074441.post-16601530875300437302008-09-07T21:32:00.000-06:002008-09-07T21:32:00.000-06:00Michael, I had to laugh when I read your comment t...Michael, I had to laugh when I read your comment that you're a "fiscal conservative." I was reminded of a candidates night when the very liberal spending (our money not his) Democratic candidate started out telling the audience, mostly seniors, about all the wonderful programs he planned "for them." The Constitutional candidate got up and started talking about cutting back on government programs and spending. The favorable nods from the audience was not lost on the Democrat. His next time to speak he said, "I, too, like Bob am a fiscal conservative."<BR/><BR/>As we were leaving I said, "Hey, Pete, since when are you a fiscal conservative." He said, "Since fifteen minutes ago."<BR/><BR/>Anyway, if you're a teacher and have an interest in politics and economics you should be aware of this site: Yamaguchy.netfirms.com. It has many books on history, money, and politics. Most are from the 19th Century.<BR/><BR/>If you are interested in some history mixed with analysis from a small government, more nationalistic perspective, you might want to look at my blogs. They're meant more to be a sort of reference than an ongoing blog, although I hope to get up the energy to add to the "americasenemies."<BR/><BR/>http://PhreedomPhan-lostliberty.blogspot.com<BR/>http://phreedomphan-americasenemies.blogspot.com/<BR/><BR/>RickPhreedomPhanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06340601064874872406noreply@blogger.com