Milton Friedman Quote

"Well first of all, tell me: Is there some society you know that doesn’t run on greed? You think Russia doesn’t run on greed? You think China doesn’t run on greed? What is greed? Of course, none of us are greedy, it’s only the other fellow who’s greedy. The world runs on individuals pursuing their separate interests. The great achievements of civilization have not come from government bureaus. Einstein didn’t construct his theory under order from a bureaucrat. Henry Ford didn’t revolutionize the automobile industry that way. In the only cases in which the masses have escaped from the kind of grinding poverty you’re talking about, the only cases in recorded history, are where they have had capitalism and largely free trade. If you want to know where the masses are worse off, worst off, it’s exactly in the kinds of societies that depart from that. So that the record of history is absolutely crystal clear, that there is no alternative way so far discovered of improving the lot of the ordinary people that can hold a candle to the productive activities that are unleashed by the free-enterprise system."

by:	Milton Friedman (1912-2006) Nobel Prize-winning economist, economic advisor to President Ronald Reagan, "ultimate guru of the free-market system"
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Categories:	Socialism, Society, Greed, Responsibility, Economics, Civilization, Innovation, Production
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The nominal egalitarians, among us, esteem themselves to be the most virtuous, the most enlightened, the most worthy among us. It is not that they do not believe that any ought to be privileged, it is that they believe that it is only they who ought to be privileged. How egalitarian of them.  -- Patrick Henry, Red Hill      5
It is the nature of man (or most individuals) that drives self survival and a better environment for self and family. Forced collectivism in all forms has proven antithetical to wealth creation (economic viability). Laissez Faire / free-enterprise systems have repeatedly created more wealth for a greater percentage of people over the long term than any other type system. To those free-enterprise systems that best create wealth, the closer to absolute ownership / perfected allodium the greater the increase.  -- Mike, Norwalk      6
Not only a great quote but a great video of Friedman on the Merv Griffin show where it was obvious Griffin and others were of a statist/progressive mindset. Government greed is many times worse than private greed, only government can legally enforce their greed for power and money at gun point.  -- J. Allen, Arlington, Va.      4
-- Mary - MI
Maybe a hundred stars would be more like it.  -- jim k, Austin      3
Absolute Truth !  -- Ronw13, Oregon      1
Hear, hear!!!  -- E Archer, NYC      1

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