Economics 5

6 years ago 9 Comments Economics, Freedom, Politics, Privatisation

Is Money The Root Of All Evil?

Is Money The Root Of All Evil?

In the past few weeks I've had a few interactions with people who "hate money", consider it "evil", think it "creates greed, poverty, hunger". They see the cronyism and banking/political corruption and blame this on money. There is indeed plenty of corruption in the world and many systems that are more destructive than beneficial. But money itself simply is not one.

"Lack of money is the root of all evil" - George Bernard Shaw

Continue Reading

7 years ago Economics, Freedom, Politics

Part 2 – Do You Free Market Bro?

Part 2 - Do You Free Market Bro?

If you missed it, here is Part 1 of this post from last week.

To follow on from last weeks post on Free Markets this week I wish to cover two things briefly: The myths about a Free Market, and how economically less free countries fare compared to freer countries.

The most overused myth about the Free Market is that it caused the financial collapse, but as I covered last week the financial markets are the most heavily regulated in the world, thus they ain't free. There was other reasons for the collapse, far from too much freedom, but networks of corruption and cronyism. A free market is when there is absolutely no regulation where two people, or companies can trade freely without government interference.

Venezuela where 36 Trojan condoms cost $755

Continue Reading

7 years ago 2 Comments Economics

Do You Free Market Bro?

do you free market bro?

For the past few years we have been told repeatedly by politicians and the media that the Free Market has caused the economic recession. Giving the markets, or banks to be more precise, too much freedom to do business resulting in them mismanaging money and going broke, so we're told. That they were bailed out by governments is another days discussion, the question today is: were the banks operating in a Free Market in the first place? Do We live in a Free Market?

A completely free market is a form of a market economy where buyers and sellers are allowed to transact freely (i.e. buy/sell/trade) based on a mutual agreement on price without state intervention in the form of taxes, subsidies or regulation.

Continue Reading

7 years ago Awakening, Economics, Freedom, Politics

The Lies of Politicians And The Media

The Lies of Politicians And The Media - The Media

Why do we give these strangers, who make money by ratings not by trading information, our attention and at face value believe what they say? Living in Ireland I see the vast majority constantly believe what RTE (state broadcaster) tells them, and Sky News, an English equivalent to Fox News owned by Rupert Murdoch. Shock and outrage generate ratings, Shakespeare knew that four hundred years ago. I see many Irish people who despise the state broadcaster, yet willingly believe whatever it peddles as news, or certainly, the more shocking the news story, the more acceptable it is. News looks easy, spend money for a smart studio train everyone in Neuro Linguistic Programming and just add an audience. This seems to be all it takes to be considered an authority. The masses don’t think, the masses don’t question, the masses are hypnotised by the flickering box. Why oh why do the masses continue to believe the lies of politicians and the media?

Make the lie big, make it simple, keep saying it, and eventually they will believe it. - Hitler (That is indeed if he even ever said it, if you see my point.)

Continue Reading

8 years ago Economics, Politics, Privatisation

Irish Water Cronyism

Irish Water Cronyism - What Is It?

The main news in Ireland for many months revolves around Irish Water Cronyism. It is a state company that uses tax payers money to establish itself, pay wages, possibly upgrade the water infrastructure etc. Regardless of making a profit or loss, this company can feed off the unlimited purse of the tax base. It might be a voluntary company as in consumers can opt out, but it is a monopoly so consumers will struggle to pick an alternative.

This is not privatization. This is not a private company.

Continue Reading