Comments on: Milton Friedman on Greed

By: ToddMS

ToddMS — Thu, 05 Mar 2009 23:30:32 +0000

Milton puts up the worst examples as the counter to “Is Greed Good” question by asking PD if he thinks Russia, China, or other systems are better. As another poster mentioned, Japan is a good example. Milton also fails to mention Denmark, Sweden, France, etc, places that generally try to make sure that not too many fall through the cracks.

How can anybody deny there is a significant “Genetic Lottery” that some win, and many more loose.

By: dunnage

dunnage — Wed, 04 Mar 2009 00:25:49 +0000

Friedman was a Charlatan. Yet, he did perfect self satisfaction.

By: Fredex

Fredex — Tue, 03 Mar 2009 22:30:08 +0000

Al Gore invented the Internet. Michael Jackson invented the moonwalk. Glad I could help you with that.

By: mcdruid

mcdruid — Tue, 03 Mar 2009 19:07:31 +0000

Uh, Creon, you really should get some knowledge before spouting silliness. In fact, the Japanese do work long hours almost purely due to social pressure – just as many Americans did in WWII. Although there are many peculiar aspects to Japanese culture, no objective observer could claim that they worked for greed. For Mr. Friedman to claim otherwise shows the size of his blind spot. Japan still has the second highest GDP in the world, minimal poverty and they live much longer lives than Americans.

Although I don’t know why I am bothering with you, since you don’t seem to think that the government was responsible for the internet, much less the moonwalk.

By: johnhaskell

johnhaskell — Tue, 03 Mar 2009 13:08:08 +0000

@ mcdruid-

How’s that Japan thing working out for you? did any problems surface subsequently?

By: eaanders

eaanders — Tue, 03 Mar 2009 07:14:19 +0000

. . . as a means of creating political and social freedom.

Yeah, freedom for the rich to plunder the poor.

By: mcdruid

mcdruid — Tue, 03 Mar 2009 05:17:20 +0000

MF: “Some society you know that doesn’t run on greed?”

Ever hear of Japan? At the time of this interview, Japan GDP was growing faster than anything else, yet it was an extremely flat society, income-wise, with its citizens working long hours for socially induced reasons. Or learn about the Potlatch custom.

MF: “Great achievements did not come from government bureaus.”

Except for the moonwalk, the internet ….

I’ll stop watching here.

By: JD

JD — Tue, 03 Mar 2009 04:25:23 +0000

Friedman: “Where are these angels who are going to organize society for us?”

Ah, Milton. I miss you dearly. But the free market died in 1913.

You will be assimilated. Resistance is futile.

By: Fredex

Fredex — Tue, 03 Mar 2009 03:06:43 +0000

The transformation of Phil Donahue from histrionic interviewer to crushed little boy is priceless.