The Pencil Story

Over the weekend, I watched an interview with the late, great economist Milton Friedman. It was a conversation he had with Brian Lamb of C-Span in 1994, and Friedman was his usual brilliant self. He was a winner of the Nobel Prize in Economics, but he had a way of describing economic freedom in the most simple yet powerful ways.

I had the great honor of interviewing him for my radio show a few years ago, and I was struck by how warm, personable, modest and funny he was. He gave me a big hug, and then proceeded to tell my radio audience why capitalism was the very best economic system in ways everybody could understand.

I thought about his famous pencil story as I watched him this weekend on C-Span. A very simple tale about the power of the free market. It was so Milton Friedman: direct, succinct, brilliant and powerful.

Our friends over at RedState.com have linked to it today. Here it is. Enjoy. And yo, Occupy Wall Street: you might learn something.

http://www.redstate.com/laborunionreport/2011/10/27/occupythis-free-enterprise-its-more-than-an-idea-it-works/?utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter

Comments

[gringoman]

Redstate is a conservative site. It's run by men. Could Monica ship Monicamemo's trollprogs over there, especially the punk who raves in a Jesus costume? You know, maybe a lend-lease deal? Then see what happens to them.

Didn't Milton Friedman say something about an open forum free of Marxoid sabotage? Does Monica know that Milton Friedman?

[Rafe]

Gringo, if anyone here is a troll it's you. Just listen to yourself.

[Steve Morgan]

No. Milton Friedman never said something about an open forum free of Marxoid sabotage. Thus Monica could not know that Milton Friedman.

btw: you are wrong again. Redstate has a woman on its board and there are frequent editorial contributions by women. Redstate is currently a subsidiary of Eagle Publishing, Inc., a conservative publishing house which also owns Regnery Publishing and the weekly magazine Human Events. Erick Erickson is the Chairman of the Board and Managing Editor of Redstate, and Dan McLaughlin, Victoria Gardner Coates, and Mike Krempasky are on the Board of Directors.

So Redstate is not run by men as your frequent fantasizing would suggest.

[Rafe]

Isn't he wrong most of the time? And yes, he does live in an insane fantasy world full of commies and Nazis coming after us like zombies.

[Steve Morgan]

Gringo, if anyone here is a troll it's you. Just listen to yourself.

POSTED BY: RAFE | OCTOBER 27, 2011 AT 01:05 PM

Good point.

The frequent Gringoposts touting holocaust denial and revisionism via The Pink Swastika is appalling. I could not imagine that serious conservative discourse could proceed with that type of cockroach garbage being proffered as fact. This won't help anyone in the Republican Party get elected. He should take it over to Stormfront from where it most likely came.

[Rafe]

Steve, please continue to be an example of that. The Republican party is too full of these kinds of extreme and insane positions. The same would apply to the Democratic party.

We need more rational people in our lives.

[thebuckstopshere]

the founding fathers were often ridiculed too........

PERRY 2012

[Rafe]

So your point is?... Gringo is at the same level of our Founding Fathers? C'mon...Really?

[Arshad Sherif, M.A., M.Ed.]

Well, you keep tempting me with these exciting columns of yours, Monica, even though I really don't want to keep posting here.

Milton Friedman was indeed an impressive teacher; he was always a pleasure to listen to. When I was a graduate student at NYU, I studied under Wassily Leontief; he, too, was a Nobel laureate in economics. But he was not a good teacher and he really didn't hold my attention in class. He spoke with a heavy Russian accent. I learned his revolutionary theories from his writings. But I can tell you that he didn't like Milton Friedman at all. And Milton Friedman didn't like him much either.

I'll tell you an interesting little story about Wassily Leontief. I went to see him at his office one time to negotiate the grade he had given me. Despite all my efforts to convince him that my work deserved a higher grade, he refused to change the grade, but said to me, "You are a brilliant negotiator." He then said, "They should send you to the Middle East to solve the problems there."

Did you study under any Nobel laureates at Columbia? I am sure your professors adored you. Did you ever get an "A" without opening a book or showing up to class? What about when you were an undergraduate at Colgate? I wonder how many of your professors could resist you making a move on them. Maybe one day I'll tell you about my own adventures.

You say that Milton Friedman hugged you after your interview with him. I bet a lot of men want to hug you. Are you able to tell how excited a man is when he is hugging you? I am sure men want to do a lot more than just hug you. I bet the regulars here get to do a lot more than just hug you. I think your whole PR team is here, working for you. Maybe if I write here long enough I, too, can get a piece of the action.

But you are so exclusive. Only certain men can go all the way with you. I know exactly the kind you allow in. I know the kind of people who get to enjoy every inch of Monica Crowley. But I won't get into that here.

I mentioned Twitter here yesterday and I see you are getting worse. I actually think you are deliberately trying to annoy me. Yes, I think you are doing it deliberately. Well, you have succeeded. Are you happy now? Don't really know what you have to gain from it. I guess you like to make me suffer.

Well, I have so much more to tell you, but enough for today.

[Steve Morgan]

t. The Republican party is too full of these kinds of extreme and insane positions. The same would apply to the Democratic party.
------------

I don't think that assertion is true. Most people want simple conservative values; small government and liberty. The purpose of raising The Pink Swastika is to sew division and hate. It does nothing to promote good government. If any Republican candidate wants to run on a platform of holocaust denial or the birth certificate issue then that candidate will lose.

For some of the losers here that would be just fine. Prudent stewardship and good governance are the furthest things from their minds.

[xbjllb]

THIS is why tax rates MUST be returned to 1935 levels, with a SLIDING SCALE on CAPITAL GAINS of DOUBLE WHATEVER THE INCOME TAX BRACKET PERCENTAGE IS.

DOUBLE.

http://youtu.be/ipM_wRnAzSY

And guess what? THE PEOPLE are FINALLY DEMANDING IT.

Heads SHOULD roll. But will see if these bastards are smart enough to merely ESCAPE WITH THEIR LIVES.

[xbjllb]

War industry CEOs make tens of millions of dollars a year, putting them in the top 0.01 percent of income earners in the U.S.

Northrop Grumman CEO Wes Bush made $22.84 million last year.

Lockheed Martin CEO Robert Stevens made $21.89 million.

Boeing CEO James McNerney: $19.4 million.

These ASSHOLES use their corporations’ massive lobbying dollars to keep their job-killing gravy train rolling.

Last year, their companies spent a whopping $46 million on lobbying, corrupting our politics and ensuring that their bank accounts continue to fatten at our expense.

These executives are some of the main reasons why we're wasting so much on war instead of rebuilding our own nation here at home.

[thebuckstopshere]

no Rafe, my pt is Gringoman is one of the original posters here, & I respect his opinions & information, unlike the "mean girls"...........

PERRY 2012

[xbjllb]

Wow. There's so much fucking money in the fucking offense industry, why, if there wasn't an enemy, these motherfuckers would CERTAINLY CREATE ONE OUT OF THIN AIR.

Wouldn't they.

Sorry for the language. Channeling DICK NIXON and IKE EINSENHOWER this morning.

[xbjllb]

"Could Monica ship Monicamemo's trollprogs over there, especially the punk who raves in a Jesus costume?" - Gringwhore

Gringowhore, you really shouldn't talk so nasty in front of a photo of your mother.

[Rafe]

no Rafe, my pt is Gringoman is one of the original posters here, & I respect his opinions & information, unlike the "mean girls"...........

PERRY 2012

Posted by: thebuckstopshere | October 27, 2011 at 02:04 PM

Not sure how anyone could support or condone his crazed rants. Doesn't speak well about your state of mind although you don't come across that way to me. You seem to be a reasonable, rational person that wholeheartedly feels that Perry is the right man to fix this country. I just happen to disagree with you and I'm definitely not in the minority here.

[Rafe]

t. The Republican party is too full of these kinds of extreme and insane positions. The same would apply to the Democratic party.
------------

I don't think that assertion is true. Most people want simple conservative values; small government and liberty. The purpose of raising The Pink Swastika is to sew division and hate. It does nothing to promote good government. If any Republican candidate wants to run on a platform of holocaust denial or the birth certificate issue then that candidate will lose.

For some of the losers here that would be just fine. Prudent stewardship and good governance are the furthest things from their minds.

Posted by: Steve Morgan | October 27, 2011 at 01:53 PM

Steve, I think you're right and I feel that I just might be one of them. But the rhetoric that I hear from Conservatives does scare me away sometimes. And the same goes for the extreme liberals who walk around Union Square in mermaid outfits caught in fishnets to protests canned tuna. I don't side with that nuttines either.

[xbjllb]

"But you are so exclusive. Only certain men can go all the way with you. I know exactly the kind you allow in. I know the kind of people who get to enjoy every inch of Monica Crowley. But I won't get into that here." - Arshad Sharif, M.A., M.E.D.

Hey Arshie, go easy here on Warrior Princess!! You're talking about my future wife here!! ;)

Ah, that's all right Pumpkin, naughty man's all gone now. Let's make a nice bonfire of $1000 dollar bills and roast the rocky mountain oysters of the rabble, shall we?

And just LOOK at that view! Not exactly Muholland, but for Las Vegas, it'll do.

We can buy the Hollywood Hills tomorrow.

[xbjllb]

Small government = Big business fascism.

If government is not to enforce the consciences of corporations, they who?

[xbjllb]

Small government = Big business fascism.

If government is not to enforce the consciences of corporations, THEN who?

[xbjllb]

"Isn't he wrong most of the time? And yes, he does live in an insane fantasy world full of commies and Nazis coming after us like zombies." - rafe

Because... living in that kind of world is UNBELIEVABLY PROFITABLE.

If you have no soul.

http://youtu.be/ipM_wRnAzSY

And unfortunately, most capitalists? Not much.

[Rafe]

They do forget what came first, corporations or regulations. Regulations are a byproduct of the corruption and abuse by SOME corporations that impacted either the end-consumer(s) or the environment.

[xbjllb]

Well, well. Buchanan really put his big racist foot into it with his latest book.

Wonder if he'll survive on McLaughlin much longer?

Heck, if Warrior Princess got fired (over what, we STILL don't know) than Buchanan might be next.

If only the man knew the difference between culture and race.

Pity.

[gringoman]

No. Milton Friedman never said something about an open forum free of Marxoid sabotage. Thus Monica could not know that Milton Friedman.

btw: you are wrong again. Redstate has a woman on its board and there are frequent editorial contributions by women. Redstate is currently a subsidiary of Eagle Publishing, Inc., a conservative publishing house which also owns Regnery Publishing and the weekly magazine Human Events. Erick Erickson is the Chairman of the Board and Managing Editor of Redstate, and Dan McLaughlin, Victoria Gardner Coates, and Mike Krempasky are on the Board of Directors.

So Redstate is not run by men as your frequent fantasizing would suggest.

Posted by: Steve Morgan | October 27, 2011 at 01:08 PM

Ah, so. We're told by a non-fantasizer (presumably)that Redstate has one woman on its board and therefore is not run by men.

This is like saying Obama has one conservative in his cabinet and therefore is not advised by progs, Marxists and neocoms. Or that the Senate has some Republicans in it and therefore is not run by Democrats.

Is this "logic" the product of Teacher's Union education, or home schooling?

Shall we guess?

[xbjllb]

"Regulations are a byproduct of the corruption and abuse by SOME corporations that impacted either the end-consumer(s) or the environment." - rafe

Agreed. In the early and middle of the 20th century, corporations were much more moral and civically responsible than they were today. So was Hollywood, intent on making films that would increase that morality, rather than "reflect" just how immoral everything was then.

However, it all changed with WWII, when we because fascist to defeat fascism.

And never looked back. Hard to believe that prior to WWII, AMERICA HAD NO STANDING MILITARY.

We need to return to that. That was a conservative Founding Fathers principle that no one's discussed since Eisenhower.

[xbjllb]

"Shall we guess?" - Gringwhore

Hey Gringo... Mom needs to go for a walk.

[gringoman]

Gringo, if anyone here is a troll it's you. Just listen to yourself.

POSTED BY: RAFE | OCTOBER 27, 2011 AT 01:05 PM

Good point.

The frequent Gringoposts touting holocaust denial and revisionism via The Pink Swastika is appalling. I could not imagine that serious conservative discourse could proceed with that type of cockroach garbage being proffered as fact. This won't help anyone in the Republican Party get elected. He should take it over to Stormfront from where it most likely came.

Posted by: Steve Morgan | October 27, 2011 at 01:16 PM

If a Monicamemo troll does not want to be seen as just another stupid lying weasel, the first thing it needs to do is stop lying. I have not "touted holocaust denial," and you, punk, are a filthy liar to say otherwise, while taking advantage of the fact that you'd never get away with your junk at Redstate. And like any little jerk, you know it. You know that your scum will be sheltered here by a "Mommy," don't you? You know you're an infantile coward, taking advantage of a permissive "Mommy." I don't waste a moment asking if a punkass has no shame. The answer is totally obvious. You know how fast you and your ilk would be shredded at sites like Redstate, Laura Ingraham and Michelle Malkin? You want to make pissants of yourselves because you can at Monica's site? Go ahead. Show us how you exemplify homo sapiens.

[DJ]

Is this "logic" the product of Teacher's Union education, or home schooling?

Shall we guess?

Posted by: gringoman | October 27, 2011 at 02:51 PM

---------

Sounds more like the logic of the gay and: Gay and the GaySStapos - aka X-Lax, Jay, and Liberace more commonly known as the Bathhouse Boys.

BTW, I don't get Stevie's connection between the Pink Swastika and Holocaust denial. I guess that's another example of bathhouse logic?

[gringoman]

I mentioned Twitter here yesterday and I see you are getting worse. I actually think you are deliberately trying to annoy me. Yes, I think you are doing it deliberately. Well, you have succeeded. Are you happy now? Don't really know what you have to gain from it. I guess you like to make me suffer.

Well, I have so much more to tell you, but enough for today.

Posted by: Arshad Sherif, M.A., M.Ed. | October 27, 2011 at 01:40 PM

I must congratulate Arshad. The kind of progressive trolls that Monica hosts here are almost exclusively of the stupid lying weasel variety, virtually dregs of the American scene. Arshad is clearly more sophisticated than that. I believe his goals are more or less the same as those of the stupid lying weasels, but I detect a certain pride, even a self-respect, which is painfully missing from your stupid lying weasel type of troll. I might have met Arshad's type in Istanbul, once, outside the Aya Sofia or the Blue Mosque, perhaps offering chars at a reasonable price, reccommended with the lemon tea and sugar cube?

[Rafe]

Gringo = Troll

[gringoman]

Question: Between Romney and Perry, which way does Monica lean?

Answer: For a clue, observe the troll trash progs at Monicamemo.......And now, from a site the "brave" troll trash will not dare enter and try to "educate," since there's no "Mommy" there to save them....

REDSTATE/////Perry: needs to get his sea legs underneath him. But don’t count him out. Charlie Cook, who is brilliant at calling elections, said last week this will be a Perry/Romney shoot out. And don’t discount the affects of boots on the ground retail politicing. I don’t think Perry will avoid any of the debates (a rumor being floated by spinners who had to spin what was said to reach that conclusion) but Perry understands that Newt is right; so far the debates have been designed to be nothing but a cage match between candidates. As to discipline: if Perry has one talent, it is being disciplined while not appearing that way. That preception is what made his past opponents let down their guard, knowing they were more disciplined than Perry and it would cause him to lose. KBH learned the hard way.

Romney: he understands his only real opponent is Perry. That is why he dusted off his old website, bought via a proxy in 2007 to attack McCain but never implemented, to attack ONLY Perry. It is also why Romney is running from his tenure as governor, playing on his business acumen. Romney was solidly in the lead in 2007 while McCain was draggins his luggage through airports and had lost almost his entire campaign staff. But Romney seems to be running a repeat of his 2007-08 campaign, attacking opponents over the same issues. His problem is going to be trying to stay one step ahead of Perry. Romney’s 59 point plan was waaaaay too long, and could not be explained in simple terms. That will hurt him. That, and the trust factor.

[DJ]

Bachmann said she likes the Perry economic plan. Michele said:"Why shouldn't I agree with the Perry plan. After all it is the same as MY plan! The plan I put forth months ago! It's as if Rick Perry copied my plan verbatim; therefore, why wouldn't I like it?"

Michele Bachmann is the only conservative in the race.

Perry is a big government lib. Perry tends to favor BIG government at the State level whilst Romney prefers BIG government at the Federal level.

Both Romney or Perry appeal to 'liberals in denial' ... more commonly known as RINOs.

[DJ]

The following is along the same lines of why I want to see homosexuals pushed back into the closet far from the eyeshot and earshot of children:

---------

On Parades and Femininity

A.M. writes:

Your views of our culture, and of traditionalism in general, are simply arresting. You wrote:

“A parade was once for honoring or commemorating heroes. Now parades [especially gay-pride parades] are for freaks, misfits, sluts and monsters. It must be overwhelming for children.”

I had never realized this myself. I am young, so the parades of today are all I know. But the truth of this is abundantly clear. Reading your site makes one realize that the West of today is bizarre, and our extremist corner is a sanctuary of sanity. When I see sentiments like this, it suddenly dawns on me that, save the traditionalists, no one else, no one mainstream, is giving them voice. That is frightening.

source:

http://www.thinkinghousewife.com/wp/2011/10/on-parades-and-femininity/

[thebuckstopshere]

DJ, Bachmann in the race has left the teaparty caucus dead in the water in the house...........

speaking of the pencil, think about OIL.........

JOBS, JOBS, JOBS, PERRY 2012

[xbjllb]

Mr. President (and it feels really good to be able to type that) I sent you an e-mail and also a hard copy in snail mail. Name is in the subject and also on the envelope so you can find it fairly quickly if you wish to.

Thanks.

[xbjllb]

"The following is along the same lines of why I want to see homosexuals pushed back into the closet far from the eyeshot and earshot of children:" - DJ

I hope and pray ALL your children are gay.

Not for them. But to torture you.

[xbjllb]

"The frequent Gringoposts touting holocaust denial and revisionism via The Pink Swastika is appalling." - Steve Morgan

Oooh, are you ever going to get an angry little yapping dog snapping at your heels now.

[xbjllb]

"I have not "touted holocaust denial," and you, punk, are a filthy liar to say otherwise, while taking advantage of the fact that you'd never get away with your junk at Redstate." - Gringowhore

Watch out Steve.... it's humping your leg!!!

[xbjllb]

"I might have met Arshad's type in Istanbul, once, outside the Aya Sofia or the Blue Mosque, perhaps offering chars at a reasonable price, reccommended with the lemon tea and sugar cube?" - Gringowhore

No, Gringowhore, Arshie is obviously heterosexual and has the hots for Monica, and isn't one of the Turks you had furtive sex with in the baths while dreaming of Nazi uniforms...

And I have a feeling no amount of flattery will get you into his pants, alas for you.

Perhaps if you started flaunting your "Greco-roman" legs again.... no, of course not.

[DJ]

"DJ, Bachmann in the race has left the teaparty caucus dead in the water in the house..........."

----

That may or may not be the case,Buck, but I would much rather see Michele Bachmann as POTUS than the leader of the House Tea Party Caucus.

[xbjllb]

"but I would much rather see Michele Bachmann as POTUS" - DJ

ROFLMFAO

[thebuckstopshere]

DJ, that's where we adamantly disagree.......the teaparty movement is what changed the face of the house, good strategy of Bachmann to STOP THE MOMENTUM........ah what the christ screw the greater good eh? but it does strike me as rather self serving on mom's part......

It is my understanding the teaparty is focusing on keeping it & gaining the Senate, as THEY seem to KNOW gooperville will most likely give US another annoiting....

JOBS, JOBS, JOBS, PERRY 2012

[DJ]

H/T to Jeff Rense.

In a rapture of joy, she [The Rod Ham] exclaims "We Came, We Saw, He Died!" and then blurts out her coarse laughter.

A TRUE IMAGE OF THE WHORE OF BABYLON!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=Fgcd1ghag5Y

[DJ]

DJ, that's where we adamantly disagree.......the teaparty movement is what changed the face of the house, good strategy of Bachmann to STOP THE MOMENTUM........

--------

Buck,

Are you saying the Tea Party Caucus's momentum is solely dependent upon Michele Bachmann's leadership? If so, then that's a stunning admission on your part of just how great and invaluable a leader you think she is!

KICK AZZ THEN TAKE NAMES. BACHMANN 2012

[Scott]

Send that video to Congress, especially the Democrats intent on ending the free market.

[Steve Morgan]

"I have not "touted holocaust denial," and you, punk, are a filthy liar to say otherwise, while taking advantage of the fact that you'd never get away with your junk at Redstate." - Gringowhore

Watch out Steve.... it's humping your leg!!!

POSTED BY: XBJLLB | OCTOBER 27, 2011 AT 04:55 PM
--------------

A quick web search on Google " Pink Swastika Holocaust Denial " will yield up some 2000 citations affirming the assertion.
That's some 2000-1, with Gringoman being the lone dissenter who feels that this cockroach garbage-frequent Gringoposts touting holocaust denial and revisionism via The Pink Swastika- is somehow relevant for discussion among conservatives.

This stuff is a sure recipe assuring an electoral disaster for whoever gets close to the noxiousness of this type of irrelevance. Voters are looking for smart ideas coming from good government to repair the ailing economy.
Pink Swastika is hucksterism at a carnival sideshow calculated to spread hate. We saw Rick Perry drop in the polls like he'd fallen from the Brooklyn Bridge after his, ahem, ranch mascot was made public.

[thebuckstopshere]

DJ, I think for the better part of valor & the good of a movement, Bachmann should be running her mouth from her seat, that is what she was elected to do....& the lustre for her is gone.....maybe she will even lose her seat.....NO I do not think she did such a great job as head of the teaparty caucus, but NOW nobody is doing even that........throw in OWS & the pundits comparison to the teaparty & what do you get? imo A DERELICTION OF DUTY.......you know full well I never supported Bachmann & that is why, PERSONAL AMBITION, & GAIN.....not to mention her government tit kids...........

JOBS, JOBS, JOBS, PERRY 2012

[thebuckstopshere]

btw, Bachmann has a laugh only rivaled by Hil's......

ISSUE THOSE DRILLING PERMITS PERRY 2012

[DJ]

"Rick Perry drop in the polls like he'd fallen from the Brooklyn Bridge after his, ahem, ranch mascot was made public."

--

Ranch mascot? What would that be? Please inform!

[thebuckstopshere]

I think he is referring to the ranch's name, named before the Perry family arrived ..........talk about irrevelant pts.........MORE LIKE BLATANT LIES........

A PROVEN JOB CREATOR, PERRY 2012