George Rebane

Terry Lamphier contributed an excellent Other Voices – ‘Adam Smith’s capitalism and today’s reality’ – to our beloved Onion’s print edition this morning.  I wanted to post my comment in the paper’s online edition, but alas, its limp-along website has yet to publish it.  When it all comes together later today, I will link to the article for those ex-subscribers who might want to read it.  (It finally was published online after 3pm today, so the above link is now in place, and my comment is appended there.)  And BTW, JeffP should consider Terry to fill in for some of the recently departed editorial staff.  Anyway, here is my original comment.

Terry, this is one of the best written pieces I have seen in this newspaper – well thought out and word-smithed. While I may not fly in tight formation through the course of your arguments, I agree with your fundamental points about the evolution of capitalism over the last 250 years. Though you give no specific remedy, I come away with the feeling that you may want the state to additionally regulate a sector it has already papered with corporate welfare programs. I believe that ol’ Adam and the Founders would have us go the other way and pull the plug on corporate handouts.  This so that these firms can again become the handmaidens of the invisible hand instead of the grotesquely manicured imitators of it that they are now. Again, thank you for a good piece.