Worst economic crisis since the Great Depression? By a long shot.

[Mr. Big Dog 10,747]

At least they attempted surgery. Or should we just take the Matt stance, that by of doing nothing, the bleeding would have somehow stopped on it's own.

It would have. There's only so much blood to be lost.

[I AM NOT THAT GUY 5,715]

It would have. There's only so much blood to be lost.

[I AM NOT THAT GUY 5,715]

Do you have any real world examples of a truly free market? Or a truly free society for that matter?

The closest thing to a free market system are those groups of small businesses, in countries throughout the world, that are the engines that generate most of the jobs, either through self-employment, or providing entry level positions to the world's workforce. The more you try and regulate them, tax them, otherwise limit their productivity, the more you suppress the proven successes of the free market system.

It still exists, but the Progressives spent the last century trying to tame it, and bring it under control, with limited success.

It you like Socialism, be a Socialist. If you like Capitalism, then set the market free. But the more to try to be like one, the less you will be like the other.

[Ali G. 37]

The closest thing to a free market system are those groups of small businesses, in countries throughout the world, that are the engines that generate most of the jobs, either through self-employment, or providing entry level positions to the world's workforce. The more you try and regulate them, tax them, otherwise limit their productivity, the more you suppress the proven successes of the free market system.

It still exists, but the Progressives spent the last century trying to tame it, and bring it under control, with limited success.

It you like Socialism, be a Socialist. If you like Capitalism, then set the market free. But the more to try to be like one, the less you will be like the other.

Where are these examples? Name one country. Don't talk out of your azz, actually back up your assumptions for a change.

Personally I don't do small business, as such, refuse to work for one again. Not only do they expect you to do everything, they pay peanuts, with squat in fringe benefits. Shortest contract I ever did was with a small business.

Edited February 21, 2010 by Booyah

[Ali G. 37]

It would have. There's only so much blood to be lost.

If the economy collapsed, we'd be in a whole world of hurt. The fact is that these programs have stopped the hemorrhaging, allowing us (the patient) to begin to recover. Otherwise, once you are dead, you are dead.

[scandal 951]

The closest thing to a free market system are those groups of small businesses, in countries throughout the world, that are the engines that generate most of the jobs, either through self-employment, or providing entry level positions to the world's workforce. The more you try and regulate them, tax them, otherwise limit their productivity, the more you suppress the proven successes of the free market system.

It still exists, but the Progressives spent the last century trying to tame it, and bring it under control, with limited success.

It you like Socialism, be a Socialist. If you like Capitalism, then set the market free. But the more to try to be like one, the less you will be like the other.

Fair enough Bill. We salute the engine of job-creation which the nation's small businesses represent.

And in general I would agree that decreasing regulation and administrative burdens on small businesses would be a good thing. Though, regulations for things like workplace discrimination and health and safety I believe are not only the right thing to do, they're ultimately better for business too.

However, you really don't think the excesses of large industries - financial firms that endanger the entire economic system, big industrial polluters, etc. require regulation and oversight? For that matter, you don't see a role for government to provide a level playing field for new innovators to enter the market against established monopolists? Think Microsoft, for example. If the antitrust trial of the 1990s had succeeded in breaking up MS, you don't think we'd have had more innovation in the software industry than we've seen? I do.

I don't think it's black and white - markets or regulation. I think you can have both and ought to have both. It's tricky to strike the right balance, and we go through jerky motions as we ratchet up regulation and then deregulate in cycles.

[Ali G. 37]

You guys mean like the same small businesses that have sold out Americans, in order to increase their bottom line using an illegal alien workforce. Or the same small businesses that now outsource various tasks or projects to foreign countries, to save a dime.

Edited February 21, 2010 by Booyah

[I AM NOT THAT GUY 5,715]

Where are these examples? Name one country. Don't talk out of your azz, actually back up your assumptions for a change.

Personally I don't do small business, as such, refuse to work for one again. Not only do they expect you to do everything, they pay peanuts, with squat in fringe benefits. Shortest contract I ever did was with a small business.

There is that gnat again!

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Give a man a fish...

[Ali G. 37]

There is that gnat again!

You post as if I was expecting a legitimate answer from you. I just like catching your bullcrap out.

[spookyturtle 9,466]

You post as if I was expecting a legitimate answer from you. I just like catching your bullcrap out.

He owns his own business. You'll always be tied to the time clock.

[I AM NOT THAT GUY 5,715]

He owns his own business. You'll always be tied to the time clock.

I guess his gay lover Pike is no longer talking to him.

[one...two...tree 2,762]

I don't think it's black and white - markets or regulation. I think you can have both and ought to have both. It's tricky to strike the right balance, and we go through jerky motions as we ratchet up regulation and then deregulate in cycles.

Exactly...yet Bill thinks in absolutes by stating we must be 100% Capitalism or 100% Socialism. Apparently to him, there's no middle ground.

[spookyturtle 9,466]

I guess his gay lover Pike is no longer talking to him.

Poor BY.

[Ali G. 37]

He owns his own business. You'll always be tied to the time clock.

Big sh-t what he owns.

Until he mentions what field his business is in, it's pointless even mentioning it.

Exactly...yet Bill thinks in absolutes by stating we must be 100% Capitalism or 100% Socialism. Apparently to him, there's no middle ground.

The middle ground is Australia and Canada. Guess which two countries are not crying in this global recession..

[spookyturtle 9,466]

Big sh-t what he owns.

Until he mentions what field his business is in, it's pointless even mentioning it.

By your logic, then big sh!t what you claim you own and make too. Why is he less credible than you?