Pubdate: Sun, 02 May 2004
Source: Asheville Citizen-Times (NC)
Copyright: 2004 Asheville Citizen-Times
Contact:  http://www.citizen-times.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/863
Author: Charles Mathis

PURE CAPITALISM WOULD CURE OUR SOCIAL, POLITICAL PROBLEMS

People tend to be highly suspicious of any kind of pure system, especially
laissez-faire capitalism, which is almost universally felt to be a cold,
unfeeling scenario with no concern for the poor or oppressed. In fact, the
reverse is the case. History teaches the diligent scholar that the
liberation of the marketplace equals the liberation of the people. A free
society would first entail the repeal of prohibition, which would free up
hemp, thus starting a truly foundational protection of forest land, not to
mention the liberation of all in jail or prison who are there just because
of their own decision to smoke marijuana. These unfortunate victims of the
present system could get help for their addiction instead of going to jail
and ending up with a police record.

The only thing worse than our current chief executive, who on the domestic
front will do anything to preserve the status quo, and concerning foreign
policy, does not know what to think next, are the populist demagogues like
John Edwards, who with his boyish countenance, engages more in hyperbole
than in substance.

But we should all try to keep a sunny disposition, even in light of the
present malaise.

Charles Mathis,

Arden
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