Requirements for the government-free market

[CitizenCain]

But you don't need to let down your pants, don't you? I do think it's a good idea to trade with China, but currently it wouldn't be good to open up the markets completely.

Which is why libertarians disagree on questions like this. On the one hand, you have a market player that's essentially cheating and leveraging an unfair advantage... but if our government were to restrict trade on that basis, it's an infringement of individual liberties, in that it prevents people from getting "the best deal" on products produced by child labor in Chinese sweatshops. Not that I necessarily want any such products, but everyone bitches when the price of their ghetto-wear/white trash fashions goes up $0.47 per shirt.

<shrug>

You forgot that another important "role" of government has been funding expensive R & D, in the things a private-for-profit "free market" can't or won't.

*Citation needed/completely unfounded bullshit.

[Aimless]

Well no doubt the private sector would be able to replace eg. DARPA or whatever govt. agency is ultimately behind the funding for most of the world's drugs if they only had the chance.

[CitizenCain]

Private sector does a pretty damn good job in "basic research" breakthroughs as it stands now, with government in there fucking everything up and stealing half of everyone's money anyway. Which doesn't really say much about private enterprise as much as it's another example of how incredibly inefficient and useless [Leviathan] government is.

[earthJoker]

but if our government were to restrict trade on that basis, it's an infringement of individual liberties, in that it prevents people from getting "the best deal" on products produced by child labor in Chinese sweatshops.

You only get "the best deal" at the very moment you buy it, but not in long terms. Just look at the mess we're in with the rare earths. Looking back it would have made perfect sense to have import tolls on rare earths from China at those times where they (successfully) tried to get the monopoly with dumping prices.

[CitizenCain]

I know. It's a bad play long term, especially when viewed from a high level, but that doesn't change the fact that it's a somewhat arbitrary restriction on personal liberty.

[GGT]

*Citation needed/completely unfounded bullshit.

As I said, those big and costly things that came from NASA (first man-on-the-moon), development of vaccinations, military endeavors (Manhattan Project). Not to mention our transportation and water diversion systems that connected our whole nation for commerce and trade.

Libertarians have a problem with their arguments to privatize everything, while enjoying all the public comforts they're afforded. Llike the freeedom to drive between states without paying a single toll, using roads, bridges and bypasses that aren't routinely flooded/iced/snowed over. Airports and hospitals, universities that do research as well as teach...all accomplished in part with federal funds. Just like your alma mater.

[Aimless]

I don't know what he's talking about, given how much of the US pharmaceutical industry depends on govt. grants and govt-funded research. Maybe he's saying that if that funding didn't exist corporations would take over all the work of discovery. Or maybe he's focusing on tech companies, who knows.

[CitizenCain]

As I said, those big and costly things that came from NASA (first man-on-the-moon), development of vaccinations, military endeavors (Manhattan Project).

Fine, the government can take credit for the success of the moon-tourism and nuclear arms markets.

Libertarians have a problem with their arguments to privatize everything, while enjoying all the public comforts they're afforded.

Liberals kill puppies and rape children.

Llike the freeedom to drive between states without paying a single toll, using roads, bridges and bypasses that aren't routinely flooded/iced/snowed over. Airports and hospitals, universities that do research as well as teach...all accomplished in part with federal funds. Just like your alma mater.

Blame the victim much?

Anyway, feel free to let me know when hell freezes over and you're able/willing to provide a citation for your BS.

[GGT]

Fine, the government can take credit for the success of the moon-tourism and nuclear arms markets.
Liberals kill puppies and rape children.
Blame the victim much?
Anyway, feel free to let me know when hell freezes over and you're able/willing to provide a citation for your BS.

Any time you "feel" like a victim of government over-reach, feel freeee to ask how WWII would've turned out without US federal leadership/involvement.

[CitizenCain]

That's hilariously thin (and woefully historically innacurrate), even for you. Not unexpected from a religious zealot, but worth pointing out anyhoo.

[GGT]

That's hilariously thin (and woefully historically innacurrate), even for you. Not unexpected from a religious zealot, but worth pointing out anyhoo.

You think I'm a religious zealot? You're confusing me with someone else.

Anyhoo, we all know how victimized you feel by the evils of government. But why so reluctant to admit the ways you've also benefited?

[CitizenCain]

You think I'm a religious zealot? You're confusing me with someone else.

Nope, I'm not confused. You're a religious zealot. Seems like maybe you are confused as to what your religion and deity of choice are, but that doesn't change the religious nature of your beliefs, the blind faith you place in your god or the pathetilarious irony involved in you running down someone else for their slightly less absurd religious views.