To defeat the flu we must get the government out of the way - Granite Grok

To defeat the flu we must get the government out of the way

Defeat The Flu.

To defeat the flu we must get the government out of the way. Americans don’t rely on the government to save the day. The government is there to defend us, facilitate trade and maintain an orderly society.

It keeps the rough edges of individuals getting things done from harming other individuals getting things done. The government is not supposed to be a religion or the machinery of society. It should be more akin to the lubricant of society.

Part of the solution or part of the problem…

There are some in the United States who find it fashionable to decry free markets. Those people lay every economic woe of any American at the feet of “late-stage capitalism.” That’s a “load of crap” which is a technical term for they are haters who don’t know what they are talking about.

As a group, they decry any business practice they do not like or understand. The usual verbiage runs to big business bad… all business harm little guy… big government good… big government help little guy…

Our nation is struggling to deal with coronavirus. We’re seeing proof American companies are stepping up and helping. Businesses, big and small, are trying to do their part. Their owners and workers are involved in helping the U.S. defeat this flu. They have a vested interest in succeeding unless the government takes it away.

Examples of business in action

Helen Raleigh at The Federalist compiled an excellent rundown of some of the other businesses that have stepped up during this crisis. They include fashion companies and drugstore chains. The companies are a coalition launching the “Stop the Spread” initiative. The coalition is organizing businesses to address specific needs during the flu outbreak. Let’s consider some examples:

MyPillow CEO Mike Lindell announced last week conversions of 75% of his company’s production to making face masks. AK Wet Works conversion is from industrial paint and coating products to sanitize public places and other businesses. The Young & Yonder distillery is now making hand sanitizer. They are giving it to customers who come in for to-go pickups. General Motors, Ford, and Tesla are converting facilities to make ventilators.

Brooks Brothers, which normally makes suits and clothing, will produce masks and gowns. Flex Ltd., a supply chain and manufacturing company, is ramping up the production of ventilators and protective equipment.
Parkdale Mills Inc. has joined efforts with a team of textile manufacturers to ramp up production of face masks and other similar materials. Clearly these businesses want to defeat the flu and they are acting like it.

Businesses need their people that’s why they are called human resources

Importantly, in this time of stress and deep uncertainty, innumerable businesses are doing what they can. They are trying to give additional aid to employees. Many employees are facing the prospect of losing their jobs and salaries. This is bad for the employees but may be more damaging to the businesses. Here are just a couple of examples of actions taken by businesses.

Federico’s Pizzeria & Restaurant is dealing with the State’s lockdown. It is opening up a $50,000 line of credit to continue paying employees. Smuttynose Brewing facility has seen closure. It is only able to do deliveries. However it made the decision to retain and pay all of its full- and part-time staff through the pandemic. We’ll have to see how long that can be sustained. But what it underlines is the depth of business commitment to its employees.

There are numerous other stories like this around the country. Businesses and employees are doing their best to weather the storm. The total shutdown of the American economy is without precedent.  The closest comparison might be WWII when practically the entire economy went to the war effort. Then the power of American government was grossly expanded. A condition we observe today though arguably without the same urgency. America’s strength is not in the power of its government.

Basic economy on a war footing…

During WWII the genius of the war effort was the government acted to marshal resources to the front lines. The people did not rely on the government to fulfill the needs of the nation. The country relied on the surge of private production. It tapped the natural inclination of Americans in a crisis to devote all of their energy to tackle the challenge.

Today countless businesses, large and small, are stepping up to combat the invisible enemy. They are helping their fellow Americans who may be hurting physically and/or financially. This is in part the genius of a free market system.

This is why it’s ultimately a more successful system than any other ever has been. Capitalism is good people doing for good people. Free businesses and free people quickly respond to the needs of society. It is a beautiful system that does not require government.

When the need is great, the response of free people and free enterprise is greater. It is far more efficient than a government-controlled system or directed system could ever be. In moments of national crisis, the American system shines through.

Pivoting

During World War II, the auto industry switched production from cars to tanks, planes, and other weapons of war. The results were remarkable. Edsel Ford vowed that the automaker could produce a bomber an hour. It was an incredible achievement. Today, Ford is making a similar switch in production, this time to ventilators. Ford is partnering with General Electric to produce 50,000 ventilators in 100 days, according to The New York Times.

There will be plenty who claim that socialism or other radical solutions are the answer to what ails us. Some, like Jacobin Magazine, are calling for the nationalization of industries. They want a government takeover of Amazon and other companies. It is nothing new for them. It has been their goal since the 1850s.

There are many companies and the countless hard-working people who make our supply chain work. They have been keeping the nation fed and in meds throughout the flu season. This as the government struggles to meet basic requirements.

Some are working to recover… others are working to destroy

Democrats, socialists that they are, are taking this time to attack our free-market economy.  The reality is businesses and industries are facing decimation by partisan political action. Our turnaround, when it comes, relies on the ingenuity of Americans across the country.

Restarting again, when the coronavirus passes, will be done by free businesses and individuals. It will be free businesses and individuals taking responsibility for responding to the opportunities they recognize. It’s time to ignore the haters. Defeating coronavirus requires joint efforts.

The government needs to deal with public health, information gathering, analysis, and communication. Businesses, individuals and communities, and individuals have parts to play too. Private enterprise plays an essential role in getting America back on its feet again. We cannot be a free nation without free businesses and free individuals. Want to defeat the flu? Then let’s get the government out of the way.

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