[mysterio]

Boy, you're the most enthusiastic of the stockbrokers I've met on here yet. lol.

What we have right now is not a free or competitive market. We have government protecting an oil-based monopoly on our transportation energy requirements.

What I want to see is real, useful research that results in innovation to get us out of the pockets of tinpot dictators in third world hell holes. If you think that doesn't fall under defense, then you are crazy. Unless you are arguing to privatize the military, in which case you would be logically consistant. It is insane to say we are fighting a war on terror when we depend on the terrorists to sell us energy. If replacing this energy source hurts your portfolio, I'm sorry.

And I have explained how the coffee example or argument is a strawman. Would you like me to explain again?

[Cobra64]

Boy, you're the most enthusiastic of the stockbrokers I've met on here yet. lol.

Actually, I worked for a family-owned steel distribution service center for 15 years before I became a business analyst... Those pesky people who help private enterprises stay in business. Cost reduction, increased manufacturing efficiency ratios, and shortened cycle times from R&D to the market.

[ClaireSolt]

What, besides Dem talking points, makes you think we need more research? We have funded that research for 30 years. Now we are implementing it, except when the Cronkites and Kennedys turn NIMBY.

[spintreebob]

re: "What we have right now is not a free or competitive market"

What we have is a mixed economy: Partially Socialist, Partially Capitalist, Partially Mercantilist.

Much of the confusion comes in not recognizing that Mercantilism is just as much an enemy of capitalism as is socialism.