Wednesday, October 14, 2015

It's Time to End the War on Poverty

Richard Ebeling emails:

Dear Bob,

I participated in the October 13, 2015 “Libertarian Angle,” webinar sponsored by the Future of Freedom Foundation, with the Foundation’s president, Jacob G. Hornberger, on the topic: “End the War on Poverty.”

We discuss and dissect the history and the failures of the modern welfare state that, in fact, has been a cause of perpetuated poverty and permanent government-dependency through the spider’s web of “entitlement” programs and redistributive activities.

We also emphasize that the historical escape from poverty for mankind has had its origin in the partial freeing of people from the heavy handed control of government over the last few centuries, which has set free the spirit of entrepreneurship and the incentives for work, savings and investment to make economies grow through greater recognition of individual rights, private property, and market institutions for capital formation that has brought about prosperity for many.

Finally, we talk about the moral dimension how the “war on poverty” undermines the individual’s ability to control his own life, including how best to use the income he as peacefully and honestly earned. This incorporates the normal and healthy sense of benevolence and concern for others that can only be fostered in a free society.

Best,

Richard


2 comments:

  1. Maybe the "War on Poverty" and the "War on Drugs" started with the best of intentions. Maybe they didn't. But what is certain now is that both are now almost exclusively part of the Full Employment Act for Bureaucrats and LEO. Not only does neither provide any benefit to the country at large, they are both highly damaging.

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  2. Ebeling brings the heat!! Good pairing.

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