>Subj: Re: Henry George and Taiwan
>Date: 96-04-20 16:56:56 EDT
>From: mccainra@dunx1.ocs.drexel.edu (Roger A. McCain)
>Sender: owner-tch-econ@lumen.elon.edu
>Reply-to: tch-econ@lumen.elon.edu
>To: tch-econ@lumen.elon.edu
>
>Art, in a hypothetical quote:
>
>>I cannot see that it will cure all of the ills of
>>the world, but certainly it cannot help but improve conditions by making
the
>>playing field more nearly level.
>>
>
>But I don't believe that claim has ever been very controversial on this
>list, and certainly I have not intentionally controverted it. On the other
>hand, from another of Art's recent postings,
>
>>That this progression did, not obtain is at
>>least partially due to the fact that the rewards of such condensation of
>>effort have been shortstopped by private confiscation of the just means of
>>the funds neccessary for the support of government.
>
>Well, "at least partially" covers a multitude of concessions. Surely, the
>issue here is whether the economic problems we face are largely or only
>very slightly attributable to the exactions of landlords. I say, very
>slightly. That seems within the literal meaning of the above paragraph, but
>I venture to suppose that Art did not mean "very slighly" to be encompassed
>within his meaning.
>
>Roger.
You mistake my clumsy efforts at tact and diplomacy to be a watering down of
my convictions. Not so. My point, which seems to escape some, it that if
anyone in the economic profession, whether in service or in teaching, can see
well enough to understand that the collection of lvt is just, and the
cofiscation of the results of a man's honest labor, i.e. taxes on production,
is unjust, then they should have the courage and the decency to espouse it
publicly, and teach it where they can. The very thin excuse that it one
cannot become convinced that it will solve all the ills of the world in one
fell swoop, and is thus one is unable to espouse it is not a commendable
position to say the very least..
I have never had much patience with the fellow who can see a man abusing an
animal, and then excuse his lack of action by saying, "Well, the animal can
stand the pain." or "I might get into trouble sticking my nose into his
business." Neither do I have much patience with the fellow who, despite the
preponderance of evidence to the contrary, is so protective of his own ego
that he refuses to admit that smoking around his grandchildren may cause them
irreperable harm. Yet despite the fact that it appears obvious to me that the
halls of academe are replete with egoists who fear to appear foolish if they
suddenly admit that they have been negligent in their teachings for many
years, and others who so fear stepping upon the toes of board members who are
making fortunes from the present system and often donate a pittance or two to
the university which employs them ---- I do not wish to publish an I ACCUSE!
manifesto.
In state after state throughout our nation, we have allowed the passage of
laws legalizing gambling under the assinine proposition that such laws would
solve most of our taxation problems. Yet a mentally competent ten-year-old
could have told that we could do nothing less than lose in such an endeavor.
Would not the collection of lvt and the lowering of taxation on production
had a more positive effect than that? Yet where were the highly published
economists who stood out proclaiming the latter and decrying the former?
Where were the chairs of the various colleges pointing out the ills of the
state promotion of gambling and pointing out that millions of dollars, which
by rights belonged to all of the people, were going into private pockets,
and if recouped by the state would certainly make up much of the deficit
(even if they could not see that it would be all)?
No Roger, I don't often say ALL anymore, even though I believe it, simply
because some of those I deal with absolutely refuse to accept an absolute no
matter how detailed a presentation. But, my point, as I said, stands. If you
can see that it will help even a little, and you can understand that it
cannot possibly hurt, you need to get in the trenches and help. Even though
the majority of young folks come to the class rooms only to find the easiest
and quickest paths to personal financial gain, a teacher's duty is to help
them to understand that morality and justice are even more important than
owning and estate with an inground swimming pool.
Art Scholbe, Cahokia, IL