Thank God for Government Waste!

[@EGarrett01]

Ayn Rand and Milton Friedman both did audience Q&A's, and both were dealing with people who didn't know or understand a tenth of what they did...but Ayn Rand would get impatient and angry with them, while Friedman would simply happily dismantle every argument they tried to use...and make everyone laugh while doing it. It's good to remember how important a friendly smile is when educating people.

[@hyylo]

we dont have schools and colleges like this. i wish we did. amazing presentation and good questions. kids now only care about celebrities and showbiz. the teachers union is also to blame as costs for education are increasing. if we can end the teachers union we can have more control of education and costs.

[@kev3d]

@HoGraz Allow me to clarify; to get a new drug approved by the FDA, it can take upwards of a billion dollars and 10 years. Most drugs, for whatever reason, are not approved, so to cover their losses, drug companies must charge more for their existing drugs. All the while, generics are blocked by trade barriers, which also keep the market artificially expensive. Further, doctors are required to attend expensive schooling even if they want to specialize, driving the costs up.

[@EmpperorIng]

You, your family, and society in general benefits from the products, goods, and services you produce with your work.

[@PearComputingDevices]

Not always, that's for sure.

[@AroundSun]

When the legislature sets the rules for buying and selling, the first things to be bought and sold are the legislatures.

[@kev3d]

@HoGraz Now, to be more specific, it should be noted that while TV's are not assembled in the US, many of the components are. In real terms, there is no such thing as a "Japanese Car" or a "Korean TV", these are just loose terms referring to where the company is headquartered. For instance, Toyota assembles cars in the US and GM builds cars in Canada. Ford builds cars in Australia and so on. Apple builds ipods in China...etc.

[@enotdetcelfer]

man's a fucking genius..

[@kev3d]

@HoGraz I didn't say "make you pay", but if you are receiving it, then yes, whenever possible, you SHOULD pay. Only the government can "Make" someone pay for something and more often than not, they force people to buy things and services for OTHER people, special interests, unions and companies. In a free market, people and companies rise and fall on their own merits, not by theft of public funds.

[@OpenThisGate87]

When the gov't is so overgrown, waste is an important avenue towards freedom.

[@kev3d]

@HoGraz I'm not an engineer, but I know a thing or two about economics. American car makers are heavily regulated and unionized. Tariffs are placed on imports to make them more expensive, so there is less money to put into making better cars. In turn, the car companies must make the cars that make the most profit and it so happens many people like SUVs for whatever reason. And once again, anyone is free to build whatever car they wish, surely the greens of the US have enough money to start.

[@kev3d]

@HoGraz Reagan did differ when it came to monetary policy, which essentially was a strong-dollar, relatively high interest rate policy, which stemmed (but did not eliminate) inflation. In doing so, there was a market correction, what we call a recession, which economists knew would happen, but it is very important to find the "true bottom" if you are going to have real growth. As for NAFTA, it isn't free trade at all, its hundreds of pages of regulations and quotas. REAL free trade is better.

[@kev3d]

@HoGraz Reagan and his democratic congress were bad on spending (though it was during the cold war) but what really went wrong in the 80s and early 90s? The Berlin Wall came down, the Soviet Union dissolved. Taxes were cut. The economy grew. The stagflation of Ford and Carter was ended. Computers started to become common in the home (as did many other electronics) and so on. The 80s were prosperous not because government did more, but because it did less overall.

[@rainzoro]

@EGarrett01 Words of wisdom, Garrett. You're not demanding that every scholar or teacher should be Conan O'Brien, but demanding patience and calmness, and more importantly, positivity. Especially in education. I sometimes think that my brain is divided in two parts; rationality and emotionality. I believe two should not cross the boarder of each side's territory: It would be unnecessary to be emotional at a business conference or to analyze love as just a hormone effect.

[@kev3d]

@kev3d one more point; where socialized medicine works "best", in places like Sweden and Japan, it is important to note that those countries are almost entirely racially and culturally homogeneous; in other words; Predictable percentages for diseases, similar diets, similar risk factors, similar solutions. A one-size-fits-most approach can sort of work. But the US has large Black, Hispanic, Native and Asian populations and a wide variance in lifestyles. The needs are too varied.

[@kev3d]

@HoGraz Because it is not "Universal Healthcare", it is among other things, a mandate that the uninsured purchase insurance. But you imply that somehow, if someone is born in less than privileged circumstances, that they have no upward mobility. But of course, one does (except where the government restricts it), I was born in a rural area, publicly educated, worked on farms and later at Target, but over time, I have lived in 4 nations and visited about 20 more. If I can do it, anyone can.

[@kev3d]

@HoGraz Culturally, France is not the US. A person may very well be a waiter or cashier for 30 years. Hourly wages are theoretically higher, but so are taxes, work weeks are (by law) shorter and things are much more expensive. So what about the person who wants to earn more by working longer hours? Such personal ambition is extremely difficult and in some cases, illegal. As for consumption, do you really want the govt telling you how much you can buy? Is that freedom?

[@kev3d]

@HoGraz How would you know about freedom? By educating yourself. Not state education, but actually listening and trying to understand different ideas. By examining not only benefits, but also costs and (perhaps most importantly) unintended consequences. The information is out there, and today it is easier to get than ever.

[@kev3d]

@kev3d It is said that the definition of madness is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results. Trusting the federal government to run ANYTHING is dubious at best...just look at it's track record. It is SO far beyond the limits of the Constitution that it is criminal. But even when you look at those duties the government IS supposed to do, like the military and post office, the government does a terrible and increasingly expensive job.

[@kev3d]

@HoGraz Yes, you can. And people do it. Most of course buy normal cars and modify them, there are plug-in kits for Hybrids for example so they get even better mileage and some even convert their gas tanks to run on Bio Diesel. The free market is not a genie in a lamp that grants wishes; businesses will rise and fall, bad ideas may become popular for a time, products will break, people will argue and accidents will happen; BUT the consumer is free to choose and the producer is free to produce.

[@kev3d]

@HoGraz Is it not curious that all other forms of technology over the last 100 years has gotten better and cheaper, but medical costs have gone up? Why do costs increase when government spends more and more on Medicare and Medicaid? Because there is no "medicaid" for electronics, no government interference, market forces drive the costs down, and the quality up. Government intrusion on healthcare has the exact opposite effect.

[@bluefootedpig]

@FRSFreeStatePlus very true. There is a site on the internet that lists each represenative for the houses and lists how much the person voted in for increase spending vs increase revenue. Democrats, last I looked, currently have 0 people who voted for more increase than spending. Republicans are as well, but there was a few that increased revenue more than spending. But about 90% increase more spending.

[@kev3d]

@HoGraz But whatever the case, in almost every instance, whatever is good about a country is not the government, but what the people and businesses provide. After all, Scandinavia serves the world with IKEA, Nokia and Volvo. France provides great wine and cheese. Australia with minerals and so on. Even with socialized medicine, those governments don't actually make the drugs or machines, good old businesses do that, though at taxpayer expense.

[@kev3d]

@HoGraz Now the natural instinct is "No! Doctors must be highly trained!" But think about it, Nurses, not doctors provide MOST care, they know what they are doing and they can do it for much less money, they do not need expensive doctors overseeing them. Some procedures, of course, require a specialist, like brain or heart surgery...that is what insurance is for, but insurance is abused by using it to pay for minor things, which artificially drives up costs.

[@kev3d]

@HoGraz Correct, it is unprofitable to make TVs in the US. Partly because environmental regulations, partly because of unions, partly because the Japanese and Koreans simply do it better. And so what? Because you spend less on a TV it means you have more money to spend elsewhere in the country. The market evolves and no job lasts forever. The government should not "support" US tv makers any more than it should support US candle makers against foreign lightbulbs.

[@kev3d]

@HoGraz There are many rail lines in europe, some private, some state owned, some mixed, so I cannot comment on specifics. if a private rail line charges too much, it will lose its customers and it will close; if it charges too little, it will not cover it's expenses and will close. Trains must compete with planes, buses, boats and cars too. If only the wealthy can afford it, then let them blow their money on expensive tickets, but it doesn't sound like a good business model.

[@kev3d]

@kev3d If we really wanted to keep all jobs in America, then every road would be made by hand-chiseled gravel. Every building foundation would be dug with spoons. Every field would be plowed with hand spades. Every elevator would have an operator. And every circuit board would be soldered by hand. In a modern society we trade certain jobs for efficiency. But, because those new, efficient alternatives need creators and administrators, on the whole there are more jobs, not less.

[@AroundSun]

@HoGraz You can't get out of a recession by printing money and with inefficient spending. It looks like it works for a little while until the counterfeit money catches up with everyone and we suffer inflation. These economic crisis's are the result of Keynesian economics, inflation-ism, and government interventionism. All priming the pump does is prolong the inevitable recession/depression. We need to change monetary policy and get the government out of our economy ASAP!!

[@kev3d]

@HoGraz Now even if there was complete deregulation and everyone could debate, there would still be a logistical problem because there are many parties but few hours in the day. But, that's why there are news papers, websites, book and radio stations which air the minority opinions. I'm not sure what you mean by "news media having corporate shareholders" anyone can be a shareholder...how is that a problem?

[@kev3d]

@HoGraz You are changing the subject to outsourcing, but fine. Let me ask, if those factories were not in those poor countries, what would those employees be doing otherwise to make ends meet? The fact is, they would not work there if they were not getting some sort of benefit. And lets say the factory stays in the US with its expensive employees, what happens to the price of the goods made? Would they go up or down? If they go up, who does that affect the most?

[@kev3d]

@HoGraz That is not a right. Rights are something that exist independent of imposing costs on other people. Life, liberty, private property, speech...that sort of thing. Why did you have to "wait" for the state to declare you disabled? How are you the state's responsibility? Moreover, under vouchers, you could choose a school that was right for your needs. Again, look at the free market, it provides pineapples in New York in winter, so why not let those same forces work for education?

[@kev3d]

@HoGraz Non profit, non governmental agencies are excellent solutions for many problems because they are paid for by voluntary means. I am glad we agree. But, when it comes to insurance companies and preexisting conditions, think about it; would you be able to buy home owners insurance when your house is already on fire? Or car insurance after you have already wrecked your car? Non profits, charities, fund raisers and volunteerism are far better solutions in those cases.

[@firstlast9916]

Good point. Also: If you didn’t buy car insurance you would have saved more than enough money to buy a new car after you crashed it too. The car insurance I’m forced to pay would have bought me two or three brand new cars. I’ve never been in an accident!

[@kev3d]

@HoGraz You have to understand, Clinton operated under pressure from a Republican congress. But there were many problems that came into existence during that time, namely cheap money, which seemed like a boom, partly because of the rise of the internet (which led to the tech bust) and cheap credit, which (continued under Bush) guaranteed home loans for people with bad credit; result; The sub-prime mortgage bubble.

[@ToastJohnson]

brilliant!

[@kev3d]

@HoGraz As for other nations and their governments; Ive lived in 4 countries; USA, France, Singapore and Australia. All have their advantages and disadvantages but work is basically the same, that is to say, it is what you make of it. On the other hand, things are far more expensive in Australia, and VERY expensive in France. Yet in Paris, the subways smell like piss, there is litter all over the streets and homeless are common and very aggressive. Sad, because I love Paris otherwise.

[@kev3d]

@HoGraz Did you just say "corporate consolidation of media"? What? The FCC limits the free to air broadcasts, but you still have ABC, NBC, CBS, FOX, CNN, CNBC, Headline News, RT, BBC America and increasingly, Abu Dhabi and Al Jazzira. Then you have all magazines, left, right and center, and ALL the websites and blogs from the Huffington Post to Brietbart. These all compete with each other. Cars, by the way, are one of the most regulated items on the market and have been for decades.

[@m0kn33marc]

@nolaOE800 Thank you!!!! Ive watched many video's of Friedman on youtube & for the most part he is praised by the viewers. I dont understand why. This isnt even the dumbest statement he's made. This world or atleast the people in it are insane.

[@kev3d]

@HoGraz Now that does not mean one should vote for republicans...or democrats. Frankly I don't see much difference in the 2 major parties at all. However the biggest issue to my mind is that people expect too much from the Government. The more power the govt is given (through money and dependency) the less freedom people have. Yes, the govt can help Paul...but only by stealing from Peter. Think about that the next time you get something "free" from the Government.

[@kev3d]

@HoGraz Stossel challenges the status quo, which is much better than what the Dems of Repubs have done. And why shouldn't highways be privatized? Private toll roads run better, are fixed sooner and best of all, if you don't use it, you don't pay for it. The best roads in Florida are on Disney's property, not the states. Where ever possible, costs should be attached to the user, not a third party who has no say in the matter.

[@kev3d]

@HoGraz You understand that Obama renewed the Patriot act, yes? And that was with a Democratic congress.

[@crossxlui]

@nolaOE800 He's hinting people will always have an incentive to work towards freedom because the alternative is wastage with undoubtedly clear evidence around. With that there is only one direction for rational people to work towards: Freedom (as opposed to government control).

[@kev3d]

@HoGraz If that is their choice, then so be it. It is not for me or anyone else to choose how others live their lives so long as they do not violate the rights of others.

[@kev3d]

@HoGraz Yes, the economy was "insane" under Bush, mainly from cheap monetary policy, bailouts and massive government spending...so why then did the Democrats increase all of those things? What issue have I "side stepped"?

[@kev3d]

@HoGraz Singapore is interesting because economically it is extremely free and things are fairly cheap (even though everything must be imported and things are cheaper still in Malaysia and Indonesia) but socially, they are not free and things like porn are banned. So that is not good either. Australia is most like the US but with higher taxes and a few more socialist programs, but many of the same problems.

[@kev3d]

@HoGraz We shall see, hopefully they will make good on their promises and start cutting spending and repeal "Obamacare", but I'm skeptical.

[@kev3d]

@HoGraz I assume you mean Citizens United V Federal Election Commission, which was a good decision because it removes barriers to free speech. After all, if a union, church, individual or group can make a political speech or film, so can a corporation. Of course televised debates have been largely controlled by the non-profit Commission on Presidential Debates since 1987, which is run by the Democrat and Republican parties! They are the ones that stipulate the 15% poll rule.

[@kev3d]

@HoGraz That makes no sense whatsoever, if there is a private school that the parents feel is best for their child, whatever the child's needs are, then that voucher can be spent there. Its a matter of choice. The government doesn't mandate what entertainment people watch, yet look at the variety of entertainment the free market provides. Apply those same market forces to education. And the military vis a vis republicans...again, what is your point? I'm not a republican.

[@kev3d]

@HoGraz But let us look at Amtrak, something I know a bit about. Amtrak has lost money every year it has existed...EVERY YEAR. Whats worse is that after losing billions it GETS MORE MONEY. Does that make sense? In one line, Amtrak lost over $300 per passenger...it would have been cheaper for the taxpayers to buy the passengers a plane ticket instead. What can be a more clear example of government mismanagement? And trains are not exactly new, confusing technology either.

[@kev3d]

@HoGraz Well I don't vote republican for one thing, secondly, McCain-Feingold was unconstitutional. Thirdly, of course corporate interest seeks its own ends....so does EVERYTHING ELSE. Unions are for-profit, for their own expansion and power....why can they produce political statements and a company cannot? Whats the difference? You cannot pick and choose which speech you like, you have to allow all of it.

[@crossxlui]

@nolaOE800 It will be a struggle if you look at it at first but in the end of the day, it's people that makes the government. The government is an inanimate entity made up of people and it's the people that dictates the form and structure of the government. By default, the people should always win even if the government sector is larger as it is their actions that hurts everyone in the end of the day .

[@kev3d]

@HoGraz Well first of all that isn't true, but lets just assume that it is, what then is the solution? Free trade would force the prices to come down. Remember that there are only a handful of TV makers, but as stated...they get better and cheaper each year. Same with computers. And MP3 players, digital cameras, smart phones and so on. Because trade in those things is less restricted, market forces make them better and more widely available.

[@kev3d]

@kev3d Of course anyone can own stock in Apple, or Sony, or Microsoft, or Toyota or Walmart or whatever publicly listed company. That way one can get a slice of the profits either through dividends or by selling the stock at a higher price. But what about the poor factory worker who lost his job? Again, no job is sacred and people have to evolve. Did cars put horseshoe makers out of work? Did the phone but telegraph operators out of work? Progress is hard but it is progress.

[@kev3d]

@HoGraz Im still unclear, what books do you feel are no longer available? And of course, you are always free to start your own publishing company and publish whatever books you wish, you can even give them away for free if it suits you. You seem to believe that you have the right to whatever you want, whenever you want it without cost, be they rare books or magic cars that run on good intentions. But you see, just because you think it is a good idea does not mean I should pay for it.

[@kev3d]

@HoGraz Education is discussed with Democrats? Then why do they largely oppose a voucher system that allows the parents and not the state to choose where the child will attend? I was not a big fan of Bob Dole, but he had the courage to say that the federal department of education should be abolished (it's unconstitutional, inefficient and is better left to the states) And so what about the military? Its bloated and filled with waste like all other organizations, what's your point?

[@kev3d]

@HoGraz Hate speech, or more correctly, silly, misdirected, juvenile speech, however ignorant, is still protected and yes, it is part of the free market because the free market also deals with the exchange of ideas. If I want to "sell" my ideas (as a paid writer) then I am free to do so, or I can give my ideas away for free. If my ideas are unpopular, they might not be very profitable, but they will still be protected. It is up to the listener or reader to decide, not the government.

[@kev3d]

@HoGraz Obamacare is a lot shorter than "Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act" the same way that "Star Wars" is much shorter than "Strategic Defense Initiative". Calm down, its just a literary shortcut. Anyway, "Universal" care aint so universal when it comes down to long waits, high taxes and, in Australia where I currently live, Aborigines live much shorter life spans. Many Canadians seek care in the US. Why do you think care is so expensive in the US? It is because of regulation.

[@kev3d]

@HoGraz Now for your Spain example. Ive never been to Spain (yet) but lets assume what you say is true. So what? If people purchase or lease cars they cannot afford, then they ought not be buying or leasing them in the first place. I have very little sympathy for those who conduct their lives with reckless abandon. They make the mistake, they should bear the consequences. Likewise if someone (or company) spends or invests wisely, they should profit.

[@kev3d]

@HoGraz Well then I misspoke. In any case, the beneficiary should bear the costs. And again, I am not "right wing". I am for the legalization of drugs, gay marriage, the separation of church and state, reduction of military spending and against all subsidies for corporations. And why do you bring up the attempted murder of a Congresswoman? It has nothing to do with economics, and if you read anything about the assassin, it is clear he is a nutcase.

[@AroundSun]

@HoGraz Keynesian eco is GARBAGE

[@kev3d]

@HoGraz Culturally, France is not the US. A person may very well be a waiter or cashier for 30 years. Hourly wages are theoretically higher, but so are taxes, work weeks are (by law) shorter and things are much more expensive. So what about the person who wants to earn more by working longer hours? Such personal ambition is extremely difficult and in some cases, illegal. As for consumption, do you really want the govt telling you how much you can buy? Is that freedom?