Capitalism is built on self interest, yes, and let me explain why I think that is a good thing. An ex-Soviet, Russian ship pulled into our Naval Station, in Mayport, Florida when I was stationed there. We saw the Russian sailors all excited to see America. I did not get the chance to meet them personally, and since my Russian is limited to a few key words, that was probably a good thing. I did speak with one of the people assigned to host them and asked what the sailors wanted to do while in town. She said, bar none, the first thing they wanted to see was a mall and the second request was to go to a supermarket. A supermarket?? Yes, because to them, and many people around the world, our supermarkets are astonishing achievements of America to behold. So much selection, so many products to choose from…and at great prices. These guys wanted to behold and enjoy this one part of America, that we take for granted. It’s true, in my travels around the world, our malls and especially our super markets are unmatched.

I walked into a local coffee shop recently and marveled at all the choices and flavors to choose from. Not only that, the service was excellent. Take a look at our shops and stores and ask yourself, why is our country able to provide all this to us? Is it because all the store owners are working for the betterment of society in a selfless way? Or is it because they want to make money? Are they doing it because of a government mandate?

Some scholars and academics believe that people would work hard for society, even if there was no reward for them. Ask yourself personally, is that true for you? Truth is, people need some incentive to work and a system based on working for “the common good” ultimately fails. There is a part of my Thanksgiving tidbit that I failed to mention about the first settlers. They actually tried to start a society where “each worked according to their ability and each receiving according to their need” and it fell flat and contributed to the first year of famine and death for the pilgrims. Yes, we tried thinking this way here in America, long before Marx came on the scene. After that abject failure, the pilgrims changed their strategy from community property to individual property and working toward individual self interests. When they did this, they found they had excess…enough in fact, to be able to give and care for the less fortunate, which they felt morally compelled to do anyway. And the rest is history…a history of economic success that we should never forget and a history of unmatched generosity as well. No one contributes to the well being of the planet more than the United States. When bad things happen, the world calls to us and we always seem to respond. Yes, we’re working for our own self interests, but despite all that greed, we seem to give much more than any other country ever has. Especially compared to the socialist and communist countries whose systems look humane on paper to many.

Does the coffee shop serve me excellent coffee at affordable prices because of a government mandate? No. If the government was involved, a bureaucrat would decide what kind of coffee I really needed and that would be it. No latte, no flavors, just coffee. Afterall, that’s all I really need right, a shot of caffeine to keep the worker drone moving right? No. Our system works because the coffee shop owner wants my money. He wants me to choose his shop so he competes for my business. He can choose how to do that. He can be the cheapest, he can provide the best tasting coffee or some combination thereof, or maybe throw in free wi-fi…yay. Does the owner need a government mandate to do all this? No, he does it on his own, provides me excellent coffee at a price I can afford with free wifi, because he is acting out of his self interest.

I ask you. Is this immoral or evil like some would have you believe? No, to me this is what has made the United States the great country that it is. Individuals acting out of their own self interest. Not only that, in order to run his shop effectively, the store owner has to hire help. Does he hire people and give them money because he is a philanthropist? No, he does it because he needs employees to make money. Is this immoral like some would have you believe? No.

So, getting back to the Russian sailors. The reason they wanted to see our shops and stores is because they lived in a socialist government controlled system where there was no competition. If you wanted a car, you got a Lada. If you want a warm drink, you got…coffee. Loaf of bread, yes. That is, when the shelves had things on them. But there was nowhere near the choice we enjoy here. If you pit the government bureaucracy versus private industry in being able to quickly respond to the needs of consumers, private industry will win by a mile every time. History has proved this time and time again. Ask yourself, do you really want only what you need to survive, or do you want something better for yourself and future generations?

I ask you, do you want to put the government in control of private industry? Do you want the government running car companies, banks, investment firms, or even health care? Do you really think the government can do it better than private industry? Up to this point, our country has depended on individuals acting out of their own self interest to create a nation that is the greatest economic success in human history. (Even our homeless dress and eat better than most of the world.) Up to this point…

We are at a cross roads now where we, as a nation, are choosing between the government and private industry. I am concerned because we, as a people, seem to be placing more and more faith in the government over private industry. The results of measures 66/67 show that. It concerns me because I see the path ahead if we keep moving in this direction, and it isn’t good. This path leads to failure, every time it has been tried.

Capitalism, some would scorn and say working for your own best interest is greedy, but I say, if you work hard and achieve for yourself, a byproduct will be that you will contribute immensely to society. You will provide an excellent service or product to people, and you will create jobs. That is not evil or immoral. An out of control government, even with the best of intentions is when you see real evil in action. Check out this history lesson thanks to Glenn Beck. Folks older than me know about this stuff, but folks younger have not been taught the history of socialism and communism…it’s time we remembered the dangers and results of total government control.

I believe we need a government to be the referee to keep opportunity even and make sure everyone plays by the rules but…it sure beats putting the government in control of everything. I like my supermarkets…and I want to keep drinking excellent coffee at affordable prices…with my free wifi.

We must resist government takeovers of private industry and get them out of areas they should be refereeing and not participating.

Join the Resistance!