Is Making Money Evil?
A few months ago, a friend of mine mentioned in passing that making money was an evil, but a necessary one. I did not think much of the comment at the time, but after pondering it for a moment I realized how dangerous this kind of thinking is to a free and capitalistic society such as the United States.
America is one of the youngest countries on the planet, but is far and away the richest and most successful. China, India, and most of the countries of Europe have been around for many centuries, but America is only 230 years old. Much of the world still does not enjoy the basic freedoms that we take for granted in America.
How did the United States accomplish so much in such a short period of time? Part of the answer is that America, more than any other country, embraced the Adam Smith theory of economics, that acting in one's own self-interest, as long as it does not interfere with the rights of others, will be in society's best interest. Smith put it is these terms "it is not from the benevolence of the butcher, the brewer, or the baker that we expect our dinner, but of their regard for their own self-interest. We address ourselves not to their humanity but to their self-love and never talk to them of our own necessities, but of their own advantages." What has this decision to allow citizens to pursue their own self-interest wrought? It has created the most prosperous country in the history of mankind.
Take one of the necessities of life, food. Food is so abundant in America that the number one health problem for the poorest in America is being overweight. This situation did not come about because of government intervention, high taxes or regulation, but because thousands of businesses are involved in bringing food to market. This competition has lowered prices dramatically as these business try to sell more and more food. By pursuing their self-interest to make more money, these businesses have made food plentiful and cheap. This scenario has played itself out in many facets of American life; housing, entertainment, transportation, etc... Making money is not evil. In fact, it is virtuous.
Any comments or questions can be received at whyyouareaconservative@gmail.com
~ The Conservative Guy
America is one of the youngest countries on the planet, but is far and away the richest and most successful. China, India, and most of the countries of Europe have been around for many centuries, but America is only 230 years old. Much of the world still does not enjoy the basic freedoms that we take for granted in America.
How did the United States accomplish so much in such a short period of time? Part of the answer is that America, more than any other country, embraced the Adam Smith theory of economics, that acting in one's own self-interest, as long as it does not interfere with the rights of others, will be in society's best interest. Smith put it is these terms "it is not from the benevolence of the butcher, the brewer, or the baker that we expect our dinner, but of their regard for their own self-interest. We address ourselves not to their humanity but to their self-love and never talk to them of our own necessities, but of their own advantages." What has this decision to allow citizens to pursue their own self-interest wrought? It has created the most prosperous country in the history of mankind.
Take one of the necessities of life, food. Food is so abundant in America that the number one health problem for the poorest in America is being overweight. This situation did not come about because of government intervention, high taxes or regulation, but because thousands of businesses are involved in bringing food to market. This competition has lowered prices dramatically as these business try to sell more and more food. By pursuing their self-interest to make more money, these businesses have made food plentiful and cheap. This scenario has played itself out in many facets of American life; housing, entertainment, transportation, etc... Making money is not evil. In fact, it is virtuous.
Any comments or questions can be received at whyyouareaconservative@gmail.com
~ The Conservative Guy
posted by The Conservative Guy at
9:27 PM
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