It constantly amazes me that defenders of the free market are expected to offer certainty and perfection while government has only to make promises and express good intentions. Many times, for instance, I’ve heard people say, 'A free market in education is a bad idea because some child somewhere might fall through the cracks,' even though in today's government school, millions of children are falling through the cracks every day.
by:
Dr. Lawrence W. Reed
(1953-) President of the Foundation for Economic Education, economist, author
Source:
Making the Case for Liberty Stick, The Freeman, p.791, December 1996.
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No need to comment, the quote says it very well.
 -- jim k, Austin,Tx     
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    jim, I'm with you
     -- Mike, Norwalk     
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    What a stupid and banal statement - I'm always amazed how those who are wealthy make the same statements time and time again. There seems to be no understanding of the actual philosophy behind compassion - I truly believe the US is heading for a revolution because the people can only take so much of this $%&#@*+? before they see how they are being raped and pillaged by the privileged class. American Imperialism is so well propagandized that the people believe they live in a free and democratic nation.
     -- RBESRQ     
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    Thomas Jefferson, our greatest president, aknowledged that government is "a necessary evil." He also said that less government is desirable. Education belonged to the states and locals until JFK started the federal Department of Education. This got the federal courts involved and education in the public sector has been adrift ever since. RBESQUE, charity is a personal and private concern which should always be voluntary, and government must never be involved with it.
     -- cal, lewisville, tx     
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    Robert, you continue to make the same theocratic mistake. That being, trying to make emotionalism / compassion and natural law associated justice one and the same thing. What specifically do you have a problem with that is germane to the subject matter at hand? Though there is no free market in the Union of Socialist Amerika (USA) I fought my way through all the government's unconstitutional and unlawful promises, good intentions and otherwise induced obstacles (direct and indirect) to make a successful business out of nothing. I also pay more while supplying better benefits to the people I work with. That has noting to do with compassion or charity. I and my family, with much compassion, give many hours and resources to charity and otherwise our fellow men. That has nothing to do with the socialist's lying facade (government) of good intentions (stealing from the rich to give to the poor is a theocratic lie - it is in fact criminal), the free market, or the government schools herding their dummied down to crack. I do believe the USA's imperialism is so well propagandized that the people believe they live in a free and democratic nation; and, along with the truths of the quote, in conjunction with a recognition of government's (along with its privileged few) unlawful / unconstitutional - covert acts, false promises, misleading expectations, raping and pillaging, there is a revolution coming.
     -- Mike, Norwalk     
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    RBESRQ, I thank you for one of the few intelligent takes on these quotations. Mind if I just use "RB"?
     -- dick, fort worth     
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     -- Mary, Michigan      
    I am not wealthy and I shall rate this quote with 5 stars. Opportunities are what count, and compassion is only possible when those who do not need it are working.
     -- Elizabeth, Astoria, NY     
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    I am not wealthy, I have been ripped off! A public education is nothing but an indoctrination in dependency to the state. What amazes me is how those crying for compassion are not ever satisfied. Promote your causes, but let the people decide for themselves which ones they wish to support. To make laws that require everyone to fund your causes is nothing short of thievery. You leftists are indeed a hopeless crew on a ship of fools.
     -- E Archer, NYC     
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    Brilliant!
     -- Jay, Knoxville     
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     -- DENNIS KOLB, WARRENTON      
    For True Patriots in America, opportunity, to put it plainly, exist by the Grace of God our Creator. Against all presumed odds, someone had the key to/ and relationship with the Creator.
    To "know" in an active, personal manner. This there is No Doubt. With that being said, The United States of America was/is founded in continuance of this Power, that must be embraced by Faith. Free Will Association at Liberty, and the Freedom to Stand guard on its behalf. This message of Independence the Oath Rest Upon. So many good things come to light Now by the very conversations, the words and phrases, doctrines construed for the purpose of a Greater Cause. Great quote, to the point. Certainty and Perfection, comes by way of freewill association. Perfection ( simplicity, singled hearted treasure) brings certainty and blessings to light. Whereas promises and good intentions are many devices of plunder and entrapment. oppression. Yshuwah, welfare, something saved, deliverance, hence, aid, victory, prosperity, salvation. Health, save, welfare. Deliverance is generally used as God as the subject. " But Jeshurun waxed fat, and kicked: Thou art waxed fat, thou art grown thick, thou art covered with fatness, then he forsook God which made him, and lightly esteemed the Rock of his salvation." Then there is Towb, good, welfare, good man or woman friendly or useful. Often this word bears an even stronger emphasis, where the " good word" is not only friendly but eases the life of ones servants. God's "good word" promises life in the face of oppression and uncertainty. It is not hard to see the corruption in government run-a-muck willingly so. Mike states it well, " there is a revolution coming." Faith the most powerful thing in the universe, and the ability of some to use it.
     -- Ronw13, Oregon     
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    The "well intentioned" would see all students fall through the cracks rather than a few so as to be "fair". There is no way in a free society to have equality of outcome because ability and ambition vary from person to person. For an equal outcome a society would have to extinguish all liberty and self determination resulting in poverty and ignorance for all. The resulting permanent under class would secure the left in power in perpetuity which is the real motivation for their political positions. Our present problems in the US is caused by electing people that have no integrity. Power and party are the only consideration of most politicians. This country is of no concern to them. We have the power and means to straighten it all out but our population has been so indoctrinated with political correctness and lack of self reliance by our government run schools that most will vote for handouts rather than liberty.
     -- warren, olathe     
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    warren nails it!
     -- E Archer, NYC     
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