Comments on: Almost nothing

By: Mommsen1625

Mommsen1625 — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 16:25:06 +0000

Actually, I've repeatedly mentioned Bastiat and Hayek, which ought to be enough for those familiar with their work.

By: danielkuehn

danielkuehn — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 16:17:53 +0000

Clear to you perhaps. You haven't elaborated on your human nature point at all, which essentially reduces your argument to a guilt by association point.

By: Mommsen1625

Mommsen1625 — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 16:13:32 +0000

That clearly isn't my argument.

As I have stated a few times already, Keynesianism fundamentally misunderstands human nature. That is its problem.

By: danielkuehn

danielkuehn — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 15:50:59 +0000

But best to completely reject both libertarianism and Republicanism, just in case, right?

If you seriously believe this “they did something bad while believing this so this cannot be believed” logic, then there won't be anything left to believe!

By: Mommsen1625

Mommsen1625 — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 15:48:16 +0000

No, because Greenspan described himself as a “lifelong libertarian Republican.” Which is an oxymoron IMHO.

By: Mommsen1625

Mommsen1625 — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 15:41:38 +0000

Keynesianism encourages the worst in human nature. Compare it to what the “law” should be like as described by Hayek and Bastiat.

Keynesianism is about as useful as Marxism is. And nearly as disastrous.

By: danielkuehn

danielkuehn — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 15:37:47 +0000

Should we abandon libertarianism because Greenspan calls himself a libertarian?

By: danielkuehn

danielkuehn — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 15:36:15 +0000

RE: “As for evolutionary biology, it didn't “make” anyone do anything. “

Exactly my point – no more than Keynesianism did.

By: Mommsen1625

Mommsen1625 — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 15:35:08 +0000

Yes, I get your post.

As for evolutionary biology, it didn't "make" anyone do anything.

As a ruling ideology keynesianism has a poor understanding of human nature at best. Evolutionary biology is not a ruling ideology.

By: Russell

Russell — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 12:59:07 +0000

“…Bridgewater State College, which is listed as using $77,181 in stimulus money for 160 full-time work-study jobs for students.”

How can that even pass an initial laugh test. That's $482.38 to produce a full-time job…

By: danielkuehn

danielkuehn — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 11:41:51 +0000

Re: “If that is all that it does – and that is really all that it does – then even if were “true” in theory, it would be right to avoid it.”

Did you even get the point of my post? If you really, truly think this then should we just abandon evolutionary biology too because it made some people feel like they had the license to kill millions of people?

By: Mark

Mark — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 05:09:00 +0000

Your defense of Keynes warms the cockles of his dead heart.

By: Mommsen1625

Mommsen1625 — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 04:46:34 +0000

Cronies think Keynesianism justifies their bad behavior.

If that is all that it does - and that is really all that it does - then even if were "true" in theory, it would be right to avoid it. And since that it all that ever does, it is right to avoid it.

I think it would be useful if read Bastiat's "The Law."

By: Bob

Bob — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 02:47:48 +0000

The all knowing Washington collectivist (brain) trust makes minor miscalculations on the path to paternal benevolence! Have Pity. They are mentally, morally challenged and are paid prostitutes.

By: danielkuehn

danielkuehn — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 01:12:32 +0000

Cronies think Keynesianism justifies their bad behavior. Hitler thought evolutionary biology justified his bad behavior. What are we supposed to do – go sheepish when somebody makes a bad decision? Sorry Justin, not so convincing. Like I said to mommsen1625 earlier, I think – Greenspan always claimed he was a libertarian. Should his misinterpretation and/or flagrant misuse of that political philosophy stain the rest of you? Of course not. Muirgeo may go for that sort of logic – you may go for that sort of logic. I don't see how it makes sense.

By: Ecommunist

Ecommunist — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 22:10:37 +0000

Even if jobs were saved it does not make us any wealthier. Saving unproductive jobs does no good.

By: Mark

Mark — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 21:54:52 +0000

I thought Dan had cloned himself, and he and the clone split hairs together joyfully for hours on end.

By: Justin Palmer

Justin Palmer — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 21:48:58 +0000

But please don't forget to add that cronyism and lollipops to special interest is in line what Keynes argued in the first place. Keynes did not care who got what or how it was appropriated. So in that context, Obama is doing the theoretical “right” thing under Keynesianism. Yet, this only shows the flaws in the Keynesian approach. That's when you head the lines “Well we don't really mean bury the money.” or “Of course I don't mean dropping it from a helicopter.” But that's the point, under that theory, dropping it or burying is perfectly acceptable and should get the EXACT same results and doling it out to your specials friends. Like you said, they find Keynes used full because with it they can make the power grab they want so badly.

Some here (Dan) will argue that in theory it's sound and so we shouldn't talk bad of it. But let's not forget that in theory, we could use genetic manipulation on the Human population to eradicate most genetic disease and deformities, but we don't because it is wrong. It's one reason why we don't clone humans.

By: ArrowSmith

ArrowSmith — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 21:43:08 +0000

Nah, I wouldn't want muirdog to get even angrier. He might say we're all a bunch of anarchists.

By: Mark

Mark — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 21:42:45 +0000

Check out the hook while my DJ revolves it!