Jacques write: “However, I see that a large part of our population is now in poor health, poorly housed, poorly educated and/or close to starvation. Where is all of that benevolence? When will it show up?”

Bob responds: I’m wondering if you have read any of the previous articles in this series. Jacques, this is a result of government intervention, excessive regulation and collusion with big business (which is “Corporatism, not Capitalism”) that has crippled the economy and made many people dependent rather than self-sufficient. With that said, this country is still the most charitable and giving of all others. I have reported actual figures elsewhere. On the other hand, when government takes money out of the producer’s hands, there is certainly less charitable money available.

Jacques writes: “We now have the most wide-open, unregulated capitalistic system since the 1930s…”

Bob responds: I am “beside myself” with disbelief at the moment. I’ve read some of your tweets and articles and respect so much of your thought process. How can you possibly, possibly believe that we are living in a “wide-open, unregulated capitalistic system”?? I can’t even answer your question because it is based on a statement that is absolutely not factual. The scary thing is, since I know you are a man of impeccable honesty, I can only conclude that you actually believe that statement.

Jacques writes: They (the Capitalists) already own most of the law-makers.

Bob responds: This is not Capitalism, it’s Corporatism. Please see my article on this (http://bit.ly/AEczA). It has nothing to do with Capitalism. Just because someone desires to make money that doesn’t make them a Capitalist. If they are employing (or attempting to employ) the force of government to give them the unfair advantage through various rules and regulations, they are not Capitalists. Capitalism includes a free exchange of products, goods and services between two or more willing parties.”

Jacques writes: The $ Trillions stolen buy bankers and brokers are the result of unfettered, unregulated capitalism. They cleaned out the retirement programs of millions of people. They are still doing it. And, they seem to be cleaning their feet in your dirty-water analogy.

Bob responds: Again, I’m just so astounded that you believe it was the result of “unfettered, unregulated capitalism.” The rules and regulations allowing the bankers and brokers to do this were bought and paid for by Wall St. and were bought from the legislators who are supposed to be protecting and defending the public. I just don’t understand how someone like you would not know this. Please read the following article. And, then, please tell me that you no longer believe it was the result of unfettered, unregulated capitalism. http://www.burg.com/liberty.html

And, that “dirty water” you are referring to? Jacques…that’s exactly my point, my friend. You cannot mix Capitalism with Socialism (of which “Corporatism” a/k/a corporate socialism is a part) without dirtying the water and making it eventually undrinkable. One way that true Capitalism protects the citizenry is by making everyone play by the same rules.

I like your idea that “… it is our responsibility as citizens to help the less fortunate. And, we, the citizens as individuals and voluntary groups of individuals (called charities) do a much, much more effective job of helping the less fortunate than does any government body; federal, state or local.” However, I see that a large part of our population is now in poor health, poorly housed, poorly educated and/or close to starvation. Where is all of that benevolence? When will it show up?

We now have the most wide-open, unregulated capitalistic system since the 1930s and the buying power of the average family is lower now than 30 years ago. However, the unearned (inherited) capital of the top 4 percent of the population is close to fifty percent of the total economy and growing.

The purpose of capitalism is to increase the profits of the people who have capital. Thus, they get more capital. I’m not saying that’s bad. But, eventually the capitalists will be able to buy the power to oppress the non-capitalists. They already own most of the law-makers.

The $ Trillions stolen buy bankers and brokers are the result of unfettered, unregulated capitalism. They cleaned out the retirement programs of millions of people. They are still doing it. And, they seem to be cleaning their feet in your dirty-water analogy.

The most successful capitalistic economy in the world is now in Germany. The difference between them and us is that their capitalism is highly regulated.

DC, thank you for your question. You wrote: “is Socialism (coerced participation) done at a local level more palatable than when it is done at a Federal level? It could be argued that the States have the power to tax locally and set aside a portion of that tax for the care of the poor, whereas the Federal Government does not have that power.”

May I answer that in two parts: First, while it might or might not be more palatable just because it is local, if there are ever going to be times when politicians can make rules affecting your life, it’s always more preferable when local for a couple of reasons: A, those spending your money (the politicians) are more easily monitored by their constituents and held accountable. And, as the saying goes, it’s easier to move to another town than another county; it’s easier to move to another county than it is to another state, and it’s easier to move to another state than to move to another country. In other words, the threat that those in their tax base will leave is always a greater threat to the more local politician.

The second thing is, I believe it is our responsibility as citizens to help the less fortunate. And, we, the citizens as individuals and voluntary groups of individuals (called charities) do a much, much more effective job of helping the less fortunate than does any government body; federal, state or local. Thank you again for writing.