"Warren the Crusader" vs. the Evil, Greedy Factory Owner
Thomas Andrew Olson at The Libertarian Enterprise - some socialist senate candidate from Massachusetts made an argument that rich people owe part of their earnings to the state. Mr. Olson tells us why that just ain't so.
"There is nobody in this country who got rich on his own. Nobody. You built a factory out there—good for you. But I want to be clear. You moved your goods to market on the roads the rest of us paid for. You hired workers the rest of us paid to educate. You were safe in your factory because of police forces and fire forces [sic] that the rest of us paid for. You didn't have to worry that marauding bands would come and seize everything at your factory—and hire someone to protect against this—because of the work the rest of us did. Now look. You built a factory and it turned into something terrific or a great idea—God Bless! Keep a Big Hunk of it. But part of the underlying social contract is you take a hunk of that and pay forward for the next kid who comes along." —Elizabeth Warren, Democratic candidate for Senator in Massachusetts
This statement has been circulating the social nets like wildfire over the last day or so, often with a snarky "take THAT, libertarians!" thrown in as a bonus. While it is wonderful raw meat for progressive populists, and gets their hearts pumping, there are just so many misconceptions, misstatements, and just plain disingenuousness in that tirade that it deserves a critical breakdown.
Liberty Papers Parody
In this Google+ post, ESR linked to this post by tarran at The Liberty Papers, making a glorious parody of Elizabeth Warren's social contract:
There is no woman in this country who got hot on her own. You have a really nice ass and a great boob job? Good for you.
But I want to be clear. You got to the gym on roads the rest of us paid for. You hired a plastic surgeon the rest of us paid to educate. You're safe from hotter, foreign women because of INS agents and border security the rest of us paid for. You didn't have to worry that Colombian or Polish women would come and steal your boyfriend.
Now look. You work out and wear nice makeup and look fantastic--good for you. A big chunk of the sex you have should be with people you choose. But part of the underlying social contract is that you take a chunk of the sex you would have had and have that sex with people the government chooses.
Previous Posts:
Dr. Bronner's Magic Soap
Politics as Rich Man’s Sport
Rare Earths Aren't
What a day. JPFO awards David and me "The David and Goliath Award."
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3D printed AR-15 parts challenge firearm regulation
Harvesting 'limitless' hydrogen from self-powered cells
Free Competition in Currency Act of 2011
Google Wallet
They Disrobe Judges, Don't They?
Very nice breakdown.
Very nice breakdown. Thanks for sharing, Bill!
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