Featured Image Credit: BingDigital.com
This is a bit out of date (published 9/28 and Elon is now worth over $200 billion), the question’s answer is almost obvious – but my humble opinion is after this infographic.
The answer is Economic Freedom, as much as we still have (which is less than what we used to).
In many ways, we are still a permissionless society. We don’t have to beg our government to be able to do a lot of things. Except, of course, if you’ve had a recent run-in with your Zoning Board to make some changes on property that is legally yours, but that’s another story.
I will add that the Walton family if aggregated into one entity, would also be on this list. Nine of ten of these folks are from the US and had the ability to create and maintain economic ideas.
The Left whines that they STOLE peoples’ money. That’s the most ridiculous spewing of stupidity that I’ve heard. Crony Capitalism, where Government and capitalism collude to choose the winners and losers, allows companies to steal – but it takes that Government involvement to do so (a fact they always dismiss). It is a complete waste of time trying to explain the problems with that to them.
Otherwise, no matter how big an entity grows, the basic premises of Capitalism are ALWAYS are in force.
- It takes two to tango and make a deal happen.
- Whether it is a $2 deal or a $2 Billion Deal, it always comes down to this: that both sides believe they are getting more value from the other than what they have right now. My dollar is less than the value of the software I am buying. The other guy’s artwork is worth less than the check I’m about to write to purchase it. The gas I’m pumping into my car is worth more to me than what will be transacted from my debit card.
- And it is ALWAYS voluntary – the exception is when Government FORCES us to buy products from specified people at a price the Government sets (see Crony Capitalism).
I realize that I keep writing about this over and over. Why?
Because fewer and fewer Americans seem to understand this basic notion of FREEDOM. That I can choose to do what I want and that I am under no “use of force” threat to do so. We see, however, more and more, that Americans are being captured by the Sirens of Communism in which they believe others OWE them stuff, that it should be Free to them.
And Government, more and more, is making that happen. Safety nets are fine and necessary but I’ve seen too many use the Welfare system as a hammock where the basic necessities of life are given to them (and not EARNED). It may not be much of a life but they don’t have to “worry” and don’t have to put much effort into making their way. Yes, I’ve met them – you really don’t want to go there with me on this point.
Capitalism – the economic system that has lifted more poverty than any other system ever created and allows for the opportunity for people to create their own Utopia
Socialism / Communism – the economic system that has killed more of its citizens than any other system ever created in trying to force its vision of Utopia onto others.
(H/T: Visual Capitalist)
Featured Image Credit: BingDigital.com
