Young Americans Are Screwed – They Think Capitalism Is Just Not Fair

Posted on July 19, 2016 by Tom Balek Standard Reply

Checking-Smartphones

I’m worried about our American youth. I know, grandpas have been saying that forever. But I am worried, and it’s not about social changes. It’s about our economic future. Here’s why:

The Millennials are mostly socialists. The battle for ideological control of our schools has finally been completely won over by far-left socialists. There is no longer any competition – the history and values that were the core of education up until the sixties are now banished from all schools, kindergarten through college. Patriotism, pride in our history, self-sufficiency, respect for all religions, reverence for truth, the importance of marriage and family, the virtue of colorblindness – all are gone. Maybe forever. Students are not allowed to question or oppose any of the socialist tenets. But the larger problem is this:

Young people are not taught to understand or value free-market capitalism, and this will doom them and future generations to mediocrity at best.

Also, an exponentially growing proportion of our residents immigrated from nations with government-controlled economies. Many move here to take advantage of free-market capitalism, only to find our government, media, and schools openly hostile to it. Financial success is vilified and wealth is assumed to have been stolen from the people. Showered with social services and cash benefits, and plugged into school systems that immediately indoctrinate their children to idolize American socialism, our immigrants, like Millennials, offer little hope for the advancement of capitalism and free enterprise.

I recently met an Uber driver in Washington, DC. Bright, outgoing, and optimistic, he loves Uber because it enables him to make a few bucks in between classes. He plans to graduate from his all-black university next year with an IT degree and then get a good job. The young man graciously allowed me to offer him some “grandpa” advice, which was this: “Please consider at some point going into business for yourself. Find something you can provide that is really in demand, and it will make you happy and wealthy. I learned in my career that owning your own business is more fun, rewarding, and fulfilling than working for somebody else.”

He pondered that for a few minutes, and then thanked me profusely. “Nobody ever told me that,” he said. “My advisors only talk about getting a job. I’m going to really think about this.”

Ironically, the young driver is already an entrepreneur, but doesn’t recognize his Uber gig as the epitome of free-market capitalism. Sadly, but predictably, Uber is under attack by leftists all over the world. After all, capitalism is just not fair.

Tom Balek – Rockin’ On the Right Side

Well, you know in the old days
When a young man was a strong man
All the people, they’d step back
When a young man walked by
But you know, nowadays it’s the old man
He’s got all the money
And a young man ain’t got nothin’ in the world these days

Young Man Blues – the Who

Drummer Keith Moon steals the show on this live classic by The Who. Fun!

Argentina Moves Right – Canada Moves Left – Now It’s Our Move

Posted on March 21, 2016 by Tom Balek Standard Reply

I have often pointed to Argentina as an example of what could happen to the United States. The two countries have similar early histories, emerging from colonial status to independence and becoming the economic engines of the western hemisphere.

At the height of the industrial revolution the economies of the USA and Argentina flourished. Before World War II the two young nations competed for foreign investment, building strong infrastructures and well-educated middle classes. Buenos Aires challenged New York City’s status as the gem of the West.

And then their destinies parted ways.

The United States maintained a firm grip on its constitution, perfecting its free-market, laissez-faire economic environment. It established its bona fides as a leader in world affairs, defending democracy and human rights. Argentina, meanwhile, set off on a series of socio-political experiments based on heavy-handed and, ultimately, fascist government rule. Argentina’s people relinquished their rights to the government, resulting in economic devastation and the “disappearance” of thousands of political activists.

Last November Mauricio Macri replaced socialist Cristina Kirchner as president of Argentina, promising to return his homeland to the free-market western world. He immediately renounced the nation’s alliances with failed dictatorships like Iran and Venezuela, embracing the United States and Europe. He settled Argentina’s large outstanding debt to a group of US hedge-fund investors which had destroyed the country’s ability to attract outside investment. He established working relationships with Argentina’s state governors and other federal officials, including his opponents. He eliminated crony utility subsidies, cut export taxes, and dropped currency support, allowing the Argentine peso to float.

President Macri is a man on a mission, and in a hurry. While he still enjoys public support, Argentines are in a hurry too, and are beginning to express impatience as they endure symptoms of the new austerity and economic adjustments.

In a strange twist, President Obama will meet Macri this week, following his friendly visit to communist Cuba. Obama has shown an affection for the very despots that Macri, and Argentina, are rejecting. “I’d vote for you, and you for me,” Obama beamed at Venezuelan dictator Hugo Chavez a few years ago. The US president warmly hosted newly-elected Canadian president Justin Trudeau, a socialist who vows to take his country in the opposite direction chosen by Argentina.

US presidential candidate Hillary Clinton promises to continue the leftward drift established by President Obama. Her primary opponent, Bernie Sanders, would make that a leftward lurch. Our media and schools glorify socialism, demanding more central control and vilifying those who would preserve individual rights.

Will the United States move to the left or the right? Will we follow Canada, our recently-prosperous neighbor to the north, down the proven-to-fail socialist path? Or will we take the hint from Argentina, our wised-up southern friend, and return to the tried-and-true free-market, small government model?

Tom Balek – Rockin’ On the Right Side

You move it to the left, yeah
You go for yourself
You move it to the right
Yeah if it takes all night

The Harlem Shuffle – Rolling Stones

Here’s Mick, strutting his stuff. I just finished reading the bio “Jagger” by Marc Spitz, and was surprised to learn that he was a prized pupil at the London School of Economics, having received a full-ride scholarship. He quit to become a rebel blues singer, but was promised his scholarship would wait for him if his new career choice didn’t work out. We are all glad it did!

Profit! What a Concept!

Posted on December 7, 2012 by Tom Balek Standard 3

GoodJob I recently visited with a high school “job coach”. This instructor works with local businesses who provide part-time jobs for students to give them an introduction to the working world. Many years ago as a high school business teacher I had a similar program – back then it was called “distributive education.” I found it to be a great learning experience for my students, and some moved right into good jobs with their sponsor employers upon graduation.

I asked the job coach what kind of preparation the student receives before embarking on the job. It was not a trick question, but the teacher was caught by surprise, and really didn’t have an answer. I admitted that my recent experience with school jobs programs as an employer had not been very enjoyable. The student-workers I was assigned were arrogant, lazy, and not really interested in learning anything. It may have just been the luck of the draw. I did my best to get them on track.

At the end of our visit, I offered a suggestion to the instructor. Having been on both ends of the equation – as an employer and a job coach – I think the most important wisdom one can impart to a student, or any job seeker, is an understanding of why a business exists. Most students (and adults for that matter) when asked “why is that grocery store there?” will answer “because we need food.”

And there lies the problem.

I gave my new job coach friend the correct answer: that grocery store exists to make a profit for its owner or investors, who seek to feed their families and improve their standards of living.

It’s a subtle, but important distinction. Yes, we need food. But that doesn’t mean someone else is required to give it to us. Free markets only work when each of us offers something of value to someone else. We must all be producers of wealth or added value. Those who succeed understand this concept clearly. Want to make $5 million a year throwing a baseball? You had better be good enough that people will fork over big bucks to watch you. Do you want to own a business? You’ll do great as long as you offer what a customer wants to buy, at the right price.

Do you want to have a job? Then you had better understand that the only reason someone else will pay you is if you help them make a profit.

And that was my suggestion to the job coach. “Make sure your student goes to the job with the knowledge that his or her purpose is to make money for the employer. And that employers share their profit with their employees – the more you contribute to profit, the more you will be rewarded. The employer owes you nothing, but he is always looking for somebody who will help him make money. When you both are making more money, and spending it, the economy grows and everybody does well.”

A light bulb lit above the job coach’s head. “Why, I never thought of that! What a great idea!”

Yes, it’s a great idea. It used to be what made the world go around. Some may think it’s “old school”, but I’ll put my money on free enterprise, supply and demand any day of the week.

Tom Balek – Rockin’ On the Right Side

Big Time, I’m on my way, I’m making it,
Big Time, I’ve got to make it show yeah!
Big Time, so much larger than life,
Big Time, I’m gonna watch it growing!
Big Time, my car is getting bigger!
Big Time, my house is getting bigger!

Big Time – Peter Gabriel

One of the quirkiest, and most popular, videos ever!