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Tuesday, September 22, 2015

Question for the Pope

The Argentinian raised Pope Francis is visiting America after first spending some time in Cuba.

He's very concerned about income inequality and the plight of the poor --- as are we all.

He's also quite critical of capitalism and the results of unfettered free market competition --- but I'm not.

Here's the tongue-firmly-in-cheek question I'd like for him to answer: IF SOCIALISM IS AWESOME AND CAPITALISM IS EVIL, SHOULD WE STOP ACCEPTING REFUGEES FROM SOCIALIST COUNTRIES BECAUSE THEIR LIFE WOULD BE BETTER OVER THERE?

My vote goes to capitalism, private property, individual freedoms. and the virtues of competing to get and keep customers --- who are free to choose whether and from whom to buy.

And that very much includes the freedom to fail while competing, thus leading to later success.

Socialism hurts the poor. Maybe the Pope saw that in Cuba.

Cuba and other communist countries also prohibit free speech. Maybe he saw that in Cuba as well.

If not, he should have.

Capitalism and free markets have made America the most prosperous nation in the history of the world.

In fact, our poor are extremely rich by Cuba's and Argentina's standards. And for that matter, China's and Russia's as well. 

In America we have lots to learn and miles to go before we sleep.

But we have lots to teach as well --- and that very much includes what the Pope could learn by 'seeing' what there is to be easily seen while he's here.

That's my take.

Thanks. Bob.

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