Acton Institute

"The Education of a Christian Prince" by Erasmus needs to be read more! A good partial view available here:

http://books.google.com/books?id=4VGSyEAR3hUC&lpg=PP1&pg=PA61#v=onepage&q=&f=false

And he writes a letter to Thomas More here:

http://smith2.sewanee.edu/erasmus/pofppv.html

A key perspective on the intrinsic connection between markets, entrepreneurs and ethics, which "Wall Street" (the movie, many stock manipulators, and radical critics included) completely miss. Think of the lessons from "The Goose who laid the Golden egg" (invest now for future pay-offs), 'the Crow and the pitcher" (necessity is the mother od ... Read Moreadventure), and 'The Old Farmer and his Sons" (work pays off).



Likewise, following his practical earlier work on the philosophy of morals with his epoch-making Wealth of Nations, Adam Smith assumes the work-ethic etc of British producers and consumers in the productive operations of the market, while he also foresees how the competitive market would correct personal failures like over pricing and under paying. Business ethics should be a productive dialectic, while we know that greed is a common human failing (and affects politicians and soccor moms, with whatever excess or scarcity they own or desire).

I would be interested in some commentary from the Acton Institute on the issue of large multinational corporations. The ideas in this article are very worthy and speak to many issues that are glossed over by people looking for a simple blame for our current conditions.

That said, are there scenarios where the market actors are themselves capable of being a stand-alone market with no counter-force?

Apples and Oranges. Get over it.

Interesting, perhaps you are more of a principles conservative.

It would seem the problem with the R party is that they are unconcerned with the growth of the "military-industrial" complex, but opposed to health care reform. If one wishes to be a constitutional originalist, please review what the founders had to say about a standing army and professionalized vs. volunteer. If times have changed for that issue of national defense, then times have changed for everything else.

If the constitution limits what Congress can do, then it also limits many of the silly anti-crime bills they have passed in the name of fighting crime.... Read More

Yes, the nation was founded by 13 autonomous colonies, but golly, things have changed 230 odd years have passed, they have become more integrated [and congress does have the constitutional authority to regulate interstate commerce, and I would say that health care is an issue for interstate corporations and it impacts the flows of the labor market across state boundaries] there are radically different modes of communication and transportation that evolved.

I recognize that the Acton Institute is probably principled enough to hew to a real conservative framework for American politics, but editorial articles such as this just give aid and comfort to the intellectually weak who want their big government in one are of life but not another.

I also recommend your statement that the health care reform is not legal, those are fighting words and people smarter than you and I have already looked at the matter.

Jesus never taught that people should look to government to provide for their needs. He taught that the greatest commandment is "You shall love your neighbor as yourself." (Mk 13:31) We do have a responsibility to care for each other (Mt 26:35-46). But government has no motive to care for individuals; its only motive is self-perpetuation. A party ... Read Morein power concentrates on staying in power and increasing the size and role of government. That's the real agenda with the "health care reform" being sought by the Obama administration and the liberal congress. All of the bills under consideration are designed to put government bureaucrats in control of health care.

We certainly do need health care reform to correct the problems that have been created by previous government actions, laws, and regulations. The best way to accomplish the outcomes we all would want is to have government get out of the way and enable the free market to do what it does best: create solutions that are effective and competitive.

Very well said, Bryant

Who flunked? What happened to personal responsibility?