As I sit in frustration, watching our government encumber future generations with trillions of dollars in future debt obligations, I am left wondering if government has given up on capitalism and free markets. Has government, the same government that got us into this financial mess, now able to miraculously deliver us from the clutches of financial Armageddon, by doing more of what got us here in the first place - spending more money?
I believe in capitalism and free markets that can best be explained by example: This weekend, my family was looking for something to do. The process started by buying a copy of the local newspaper - The Missourian. The paper cost 75 cents, which keeps scores employed who spend money back into the community, who buy homes and pay rents. The company also pays taxes at the local, state and federal levels, that goes to roads, schools and municipalities.
From the paper, we discovered a new glass-blowing company nearby. From the article in the newspaper, we arrived at the business with four adults and two children. Between the six of us, we spent right at $500 of which $50 went to taxes and the rest went to the business that has three employees and their families. Some of the $500 will be reinvested in the business, some will go directly back to the local community from church tithing, to taxes, to local restaurants and businesses, and of course taxes for schools, roads and municipalities.
While waiting for our glass products to be handmade, we went to a local restaurant and spent another $88, repeat the same example above, ditto for the $45 tank of gas we put in our minivan (which was purchased from a local dealer).
All of which will bring more people into the economy, which will buy more newspapers, which brings us full circle. Now that is what I call economic stimulus (as long as I pay my credit card off before being charged interest). And the best news is . . . it didn't cost you a dime.
Guy W. Midkiff
