Any Ludwig Von Mises fans here?
 

This guy is a freakin' genius. I wish his ideas were implemented here in the Philippines. I'm sure it would lead to less poverty, corruption, and bullshit. :(

http://www.mises.org/

http://www.libertarian.nl/NL/archives/mises-larger.jpg

Big fan for a few years now! I don't agree with everything the Austrian school teaches, but I do believe it beats Keynesian by a long shot.

I think he may be one of the most underated people in history. During WWII not only was Nazism, Communism, and Fascism pushing socialism but so was the United States. Following the war the entire world could have easily slipped into a shithole if people did what all of the "intellectuals" in the ivory towers were preaching.

If you want a good economics book read "Economics for Real People." This book lays out how economics works in black and white & is very easy to understand (unlike your standard college economics course.)

Very true. After FDR, the US Government has EXPLODED into its modern Welfare state form. Now, government control and regulation seep into every facet of everyday life. However, tax cuts and prudent economic policy ensure that the socialist side of the US doesn't overtake its true entrepeneurial nature.

Unfortunately, the same socialist march towards a Welfare State is present here in the Philppines. The government is the biggest or second biggest employer. People depend on the state too much and it has ruinous implications both for the economy and individual people. It's hilarious (if it weren't so pathetic) how PI law tracks and copies US regulations and consumer protection codes. While most are underfunded or unfunded they still cause economic havoc since they add layers of regulation to an already stifled economy.

Oftentimes, GOVERNMENT regulation creates more poverty and suffering. Let people themselves decide and work out solutions!

The ironic thing is that the free market is a naturally occuring process. Despite the damage to "real" economic progress that governments do, at the same time every government in the world relies very heavily on the free market to even exist.

The Soviets had to peg the value of things to prices set in the free world, Cuba exports cigars, dictator's make billions from their countries natural resources, the list goes on and on.