Replies

"It's not class warfare rhetoric. His father worked for Nixon, and Stein himself has a great conservative resume."

It is class warfare rhetoric. He is using the exact same language and logic that the Left is using, talking about inequality of wealth and income distribution, etc. It is pure Marxism no matter how you slice it or dice it.

"It is well to remember that even von Hayek said that there is a role for government in maintaining a level playing field so that the free market works properly."

He was not referring to wealth redistribution, socialism, and the Welfare State, which is what the Left is trying to lead us into. He was talking about a limited role of government to make sure there is good contract law, good anti-competition laws that prevent people from colluding and avoiding competition, etc. You have misquoted him and his ideas.

"I don't know what macro factors are producing this situation, but it's beginning to look to me as though the free market is not functioning properly. If it were, surely failure would not be rewarded so handsomely."

You obviously don't have a clue about free market capitalism. If these people were really failing as you say, they would not be paid what they are being paid. The market pays people what they are worth. You have bought hook, line, and sinker into the Left's propaganda about "executives making too much money", "too much wealth and income inequality", "people are not living a higher living standard than in the past", etc. Every bit of that is a lie. People today are living a higher living standard than every before, including the middle class. Most people could live on one income if they really wanted to live a lifestyle that comes from one income, but they want more and more (bigger houses, big SUVs, etc.) and the government is taxing more and more, so it takes two incomes to get all of this.

Ben Stein is a liberal on fiscal matters--not a conservative. Nixon certainly was not a conservative either. He even did such stupid things as price controls, etc. Ben Stein is dead wrong about our economy, and so are you.

"It is class warfare rhetoric."

You have mistaken it for class warfare rhetoric, and then closed your mind on that error. If you knew Stein, you'd know better.

"You obviously don't have a clue about free market capitalism."

And you obviously don't have a clue about not being an obnoxious jerk. My initial reaction was to respond to each of your erroneous points. Upon reflection, I don't care to discuss this or anything else with someone who behaves as badly as you. You can post me again when you grow up and get some manners.