Putting capitalism in proper context
To the editor:
On Jan. 16, our local “pin-head pundit,” Dick Kalfus, made an eloquent and impassioned defense of unfettered/unregulated capitalism. However, he took it to the extreme, which should never be done.
Dick, no one is bashing capitalism, per se, just trying to return it to its proper place, as regulated and beneficial (as originally intended). The robber barons of a hundred years ago had to be put back into their places – the hard way, through legislation. We have recently seen variations of that greedy and unfavorable situation, it has to be corrected.
The distribution of wealth is merely a method to stimulate the economy back to more equal prosperity. It is the lesson that should have been learned in the ’30s, and from lesser recessions since then.
While I agree that today’s politicians are not likely as smart as Roosevelt, Jefferson or Kennedy, one need not be so to recognize that work must be done to restore the economy and to make healthcare available to all who need it.
Experience is relative, history is replete with examples of inexperienced men who went onto stellar accomplishments. We must judge by results, not by expectations, so give it proper time.
If you think about it, we have had examples of quasi-socialism for centuries (post office, public schools, etc.). And they have been largely useful and successful capitalism not being effected to any degree.
So, Dick, you and I should not worry about you becoming a socialist, or a broken man with no purpose. They will never reach you.
Incidentally, no one is trying to dismantle our ailing health care system, just to make it more efficient, more affordable and more accessible. Who should object to that?
Wayne K. Hood
Cape Coral