Economist Milton Friedman has died.

The Wall Street Journal (Excerpt) (Subscription required) ^ | November 16, 2006

[ReleaseTheHounds]

Sad only for us in our loss... Celebrate his life! Celebrate his thinking and the example he set for the world. Think of the unbelievable improvement in life this guy's thoughts and ideas has produced! Literally BILLIONS of people have been lifted out of poverty because governments, countries and societies turned to embrace this man's thoughts and ideas! What a legacy!

[Brian Allen]

<< : RIP for a great mind. I have a colleague whose computers are named "Friedman," "Hayek," "Von Mises," and "Bastiat." He'll be wearing black. >>

Gray, maybe, if he'll miss the Economist, rather than the Man.

Mr Chicago-School Friedman, may God rest and keep him, remained a Keynesian at core and not in the same league - or even of the same School - as Hayek, von Mises and Bastiat!

[Unknown Pundit]

Brilliant economist. However, few Americans would agree with his libertarian take on politics.

More's the pity. The road to hell is paved with "good intentions". The country is drowning in them.

[mgstarr]

The basis of conservatism is a desire for less government interference or less centralized authority or more individual freedom...

It's sad that so many who call themselves "conservative" today don't seem to grasp that concept.

[goldstategop]

The debate will be whether Americans really voted against Big Government. I'm more inclined to believe they chose the Democrats as better at managing it.

"Show me just what Mohammed brought that was new, and there you will find things only evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached." -Manuel II Paleologus

[eyespysomething]

http://www.freetochoose.net/

It's running again on PBS, (updated again?), on Monday January 29, 2007.

Fascinating series. Just fascinating.

[BlessedBeGod]

Eternal rest.......

[goldstategop]

We want to have it all and not pay for it. We want the government to take care of us and to look after our needs and at the time we want it to stay out of our lives and keep its grubby hands out of our wallets. Americans want to have to it both ways.

"Show me just what Mohammed brought that was new, and there you will find things only evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached." -Manuel II Paleologus

[dfwgator]

Everybody hates pork and big spending, unless it goes to their district or pet cause.

[Mr. Mojo]

Thanks for the tip.

Well worth watching.

[goldstategop]

And conservatives like earmarks as much as liberals. They put in Democrats and told them go ahead but don't look too corrupt doing it.

"Show me just what Mohammed brought that was new, and there you will find things only evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached." -Manuel II Paleologus

[PghBaldy]

MILTON FRIEDMAN, Hoover Institution: What do you suppose government spending all levels, federal, state and local, relative to national income was in 1928? ... MILTON FRIEDMAN: 10 to 12 [%]. And it was that level throughout American history, except in time of great war, so we have made a tremendous change. In my opinion, that's not a bad number. 10 to 12 would be about the ideal amount of government spending. It would cover the basic functions, but today we're at 43 [%] http://www.pbs.org/newshour/bb/budget/economists_1-9.html

Reading his book a few years back made me immensely angry and sad at how far out of wack out govt is, on all levels. I never thought about it, but it probably helped change my view of govt and the economy. Drastically.

[Moonman62]

Because the GOP hasn't shown an inclination towards small gov't since Reagan left office. If Pubbies stuck to their limited gov't roots they'd win every election. ...but the party establishment is too stupid to see it.

Greedy, selfish, and corrupt, which in the long run is stupid.

[Toddsterpatriot]

No liberal economist has really been able to rebut him. I'm not sure Paul Krugman could.

Paul Krugman is an economist? That's funny!

Milton, RIP.

[wolfpat]

You almost can't be too sad for a man who has already accomplished so much. I mean, we all gotta go. Certainly he will be well remembered and appreciated for his work. Can't ask for much more than that.

I ain't sad for him. I'm sad for us. We've lost so much with his passing.

[ElkGroveDan]

They need to put a pencil on his headstone. His work meant so much to so many. He opened many minds at an important time in history.

[Billthedrill]

At least you know who they are. Some of the undergrads around here think my friend is an astronomer. ;-)

[eyespysomething]

I'm just observing while we and the libertarians both admire free markets we part company on the question of government imposed morality and the core functions of government.

[gipper81]

God Bless Milton Friedman.


http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-2963837673813979186&q=milton+friedman+rose

[labard1]

A great man has passed today. An outspoken advocate of liberty and economic freedom, he was a major force in converting the economic establishment from statism to free markets. Gentle in manner, genial in wit, unfailingly kind, but with as quick a mind as we have known, he will be missed.