Sunday, July 26, 2009

Question For A Fellow Student


This was a question I asked in a discussion board. The cause for my question was when a fellow student offered that, paraphrasing, SOMETIMES (Sometimes!!) government intervention harms the well-being of individuals.

"When has/does government intervention in ANYTHING not end up harming the well-being of at least one individual? What does the government give to ANYONE without having first taken it away by force from SOMEONE ELSE??"

Intervention by its very nature is destructive to market mechanisms that, when left alone, make everyone better off. I would say that anytime in the history of the U.S. where there has been an intervention by the government in the market process, at least one individuals well-being is harmed. And usually it is not limited to just one person.

"The essence of the interventionist policy is to take from one group to give to another. It is confiscation and distribution." Ludwig von Mises

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QE3 Is Here!

Move over QE2, QE3 is here! The markets are euphoric for now.