more on How the permissive capitalism of the boom destroyed American equality.

[Dave Farber <dave () farber net>]

------ Forwarded Message
From: "Jonathan M. Smith" <jms () central cis upenn edu>
Date: Mon, 21 Oct 2002 05:33:11 -0400 (EDT)


Of course, in exchange for their mansions, those plutocrats variously:

    1. Built the US Railroad system
    2. Made us the world's strongest industrial power - able to win WWII
    3. Built an oil refining and distribution system
    4. Provided the telephone and telegraph infrastructure
    5. Built and distributed automobiles to the "masses" - the Model T
    6. Provided widespread electrical service

The biggest myth, currently reinforced of course by the
newsworthy stories of some modern crooks,
is it was "money for nothing". Not necessarily so! None of the
above was done with capital from Washington, although there were
subsidies, e.g., of the railroad system, to provide incentives. A
justice system built on envy is what many desire, but is that what you
really want?

                                -JMS

------ End of Forwarded Message

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