Economic Stuff

In an effort to diversify the subjects I talk about, I guess I'll jot down ideas of a more recent area of interest, economics.


I was raised in a republican household but I've gravitated towards a more Democrat view of economics and even social issues.  I believe in capitalism and believe that the hardest workers should be rewarded with the most presitgeousity. However I believe the poor and less fortunate should be looked after and not just dismissed as those who don't work as hard and can't make . I believe this is more important than upholding pure unregulated ideological capitalism and so I often will support programs that benefit the poor, even at some expense of the richest citizens.   Complete socialism is harmful, but I think some of it's ideals are noble and can be implimented into our capitalist system sometimes without turning socialist. This should be done with care though, so that "slippery slope" arguements don't become reality. I think pure Reagan-esque capitalism is largely idealistic and is harmful to the country as a whole.

While sitting in economics class, I was thinking about how for many economists, it seems that to them, the ultimate "goal" of the country should be to increase the GDP of the country as much as possible.  However, I think this mostly only seems good on paper and doesn't really benefit the most people.  As my professor even said, a higher GDP doesn't necessarily mean higher quality of life for citizens.  One thing some have to keep in mind with laissez-faire capitalism is that even if it does produce the highest GDP in the end and the lowest unemployment rate (which is questionable), there are more important things than economic prosperity.  I've found it peculiar that many Christians I've talked to think that hardcore conservatism is the politics of a true Christian, while I feel differently.  Maybe people in general need to be willing to sacrifice a bit of their own prosperity once in a while for the sake of others.  I think this should be kept in mind when discussing issues like welfare and tax brackets.  So often it seems that the words "MY tax dollars...why should I pay for so and so..." come up.  Sometimes people need to see that they are only one out of millions in the country.  Really, having to pay a 45% income tax will greatly increase the suffering of a poor person than a rich person. 

Obviously the other extreme is just as bad if not worse.  Dispelling with capitalism altogether obvious results in disaster.  It's pretty much undeniable that it is human nature to only push themselves to work when there is something big at stake.  What better than the incentive to be prosperous rather than poor?  Socialism and communism look good on paper and I think even have good intentions, but they are not realistic.

So yeah.  Basically I think if humanitarianism and morality and economic prosperity (or if not, at least adequacy) is the focus, then I think mixed capitalism with a degee of government regulation and higher taxes for the uppermost class is the best way to go.