The Washington Times today published this letter-to-the-editor that I wrote about Milton Friedman:
A champion of human liberty
Milton Friedman was indeed a brilliant economist ("Nobel-winning economist Friedman dies at 94," Nation, yesterday).
Mr. Friedman also was a virtuoso debater. When, to endorse
conscription over the volunteer military, Gen. William Westmorland said
that he did not want to command "an army of mercenaries," Mr. Friedman
piped up and asked, "General, would you rather command an army of
slaves?"Milton Friedman was one of history’s greatest champions of liberty and human dignity.
DONALD J. BOUDREAUX
ChairmanDepartment of Economics
George Mason University
Fairfax
Milton Friedman, for me, has always existed — always been — always stood strong as a champion of truth and freedom. I am sad beyond words that he is no longer with us.
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It is very upsetting to me that many are soiling his name by saying that his policies were failures, filled with hate, or lacked compassion.
All of which stem from an ignorance of the man and his ideas.
Wonderful sentiments!
His loss is great, but his ideas and intellect will stand the test of time. It is our job to preserve them.
Here is one of my all-time favorite video clips summarizes his (and my) philosophy.
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=6813529239937418232&q=Milton+Friedman&hl=en