Capitalism Archives - Voice For Liberty

Aug

From the New Symposium Society: Capitalism and Socialism

The New Symposium Society held a public forum on the topic “Capitalism and Socialism” on the campus of Friends University on August 20, 2019. Audio from the event is below. One participant remarked that the forum provided a format that led to a “remarkable exercise in polite public discussion that is unusual in these hyper-politically charged times.” Another participant commented, “I thoroughly enjoyed the conversation with truly diversified, intelligent, polite participants.” A special thank you is in order to New Symposium trustee Bob Love for his masterful job of acting as the informal “catalyst” in facilitating the meeting discussion. He…

Nov

By Bob Weeks

From Pachyderm: Robert L. Bradley, Jr.

From the Wichita Pachyderm Club: Robert L. Bradley, Jr. He is CEO and Founder of Institute for Energy Research, visiting fellow at the Institute of Economic Affairs in London, and an adjunct scholar at both the Cato Institute and the Competitive Enterprise Institute. His topic at the Pachyderm Club was "The Contra-Capitalist Corporation (In Search of Heroic Capitalism)." This audio recording was made on November 2, 2018. The accompanying visual presentation may be viewed here. Shownotes Institute for Energy Research and on Facebook Books by Robert Bradley: Enron Ascending: The Forgotten Years, 1984-1996, Capitalism at Work, Edison to Enron: Energy…

Historic preservation tax credits, or developer welfare?

Nov

By Bob Weeks

Historic preservation tax credits, or developer welfare?

A Wichita developer seeks to have taxpayers fund a large portion of his development costs, using a wasteful government program of dubious value. When you hear of a program titled "historic preservation tax credits" you might find yourself in agreement. Preserving history: Who can be against that? And tax credits: Aren't those just technical adjustments on someone's tax form? If you look closely, however, you'll find that the historic preservation tax credits program can include buildings with only the slightest historic significance, and has great cost to taxpayers. The Colorado-Derby Building at 201 N Water Street in Wichita has been…

Dec

By Bob Weeks

Myth: Markets promote greed and selfishness

When thinking about the difference between government action and action taken by free people trading freely in markets, many myths abound. Tom G. Palmer has written an important paper that confronts these myths about markets. The second myth -- Markets Promote Greed and Selfishness -- and Palmer's refutation is below. The complete series of myths and responses is at Twenty Myths about Markets. Palmer is editor of the recent books for Students for Liberty: The Morality of Capitalism, After the Welfare State, Why Liberty, and Peace, Love & Liberty. Myth: Markets promote greed and selfishness Myth: People in markets are…

Feb

By Bob Weeks

Corporate cronyism harms America

As the Wichita Business Journal features an interview with Charles Koch today, here's a repeat of his article from September 2012 in which he address many of the same topics as covered in the WBJ interview. "The effects on government are equally distorting -- and corrupting. Instead of protecting our liberty and property, government officials are determining where to send resources based on the political influence of their cronies. In the process, government gains even more power and the ranks of bureaucrats continue to swell." The editorial in today's Wall Street Journal by Charles G. Koch, chairman of the board…

Dec

By Bob Weeks

Your local chamber of commerce: Working for you?

Very often, local chambers of commerce support principles of crony capitalism instead of pro-growth policies that allow free enterprise and genuine capitalism to flourish. We may soon have an example of this in Wichita, where business leaders are tossing about ideas for tax increases. I distinguish between "business leaders" and "capitalists." Most people probably think that local chambers of commerce, since their membership is mostly business firms, support pro-growth policies that embrace limited government and free markets. But that's not always the case. Here, in an excerpt from his article "Tax Chambers" Stephen Moore explains: The Chamber of Commerce, long…

Dec

By Bob Weeks

Americans for Prosperity-Kansas applauds Sedgwick County Commission for rejecting public financing for Bowllagio

TOPEKA, KAN -- The Kansas chapter of the grassroots group Americans for Prosperity applauds the Sedgwick County Commission for rejecting the proposed tax-increment financing (TIF) district for the Bowllagio development in Wichita. “We are pleased that Sedgwick County commissioners unanimously voted against public funding for this entertainment development,” said AFP-Kansas grassroots coordinator Susan Estes. “Commissioners apparently realized it wasn’t a good deal for taxpayers in Wichita and Sedgwick County.” Estes said this proposed development was another example of a developer receiving several layers of public financing, and that additional public financing would give the Bowllagio developers an unfair advantage over…

Dec

By Bob Weeks

Charles Koch profiled in Forbes

The new issue of Forbes features a cover story on Charles and David Koch. It is very interesting and seems a balanced and fair article, but there are a few things that stand out. (Inside The Koch Empire: How The Brothers Plan To Reshape America.) An example: "Both Kochs innately understand that -- unlike the populist appeal of their fellow midwestern billionaire Warren Buffett and his tax-the-rich advocacy -- their message of pure, raw capitalism is a much tougher sell, even among capitalists." I think the author should have written "even among business executives" rather than capitalists. That's because Charles…

Oct

By Bob Weeks

Capitalism and business: The same thing?

Is "capitalism" and "business" the same thing? Most people would probably answer yes, but that's a mistake. In a video from LearnLiberty.org, a project of Institute for Humane Studies, Professor Steve Horwitz explains the difference: "He refutes the often recited claim that 'What is good for General Motors is good for America' by explaining that pro-business legislation encourages behavior that is not beneficial to society or the business itself. He suggests that, in a free market, factors such as profit and competition encourage behavior that ultimately benefits society. Professor Horwitz illustrates that pro-business legislation restricts progress and therefore caters to…

Sep

By Bob Weeks

What’s wrong with Charles and David Koch?

In a column on his website, Fran Tarkenton wonders why Charles and David Koch are the targets of so much criticism. He writes: "So why do we vilify people who represent the greatness of America? Is it just because they have different political beliefs? It’s time to stop demonizing people who do things the right way and generate tremendous wealth -- and value to all Americans. Those are the people we should celebrate, whether you agree with their politics or not! If we want to preserve America as the great place it is, we need more entrepreneurs, more innovators --…