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January 12, 2012

READERS' FORUM: Jan. 12, 2012

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Interference? No.

Opportunity? Yes

After reading Arthur Foulkes’s column titled “Stop trying to plan our lives — it doesn’t work,” on Sunday, Jan. 1, 2012, I dusted off my DVD, “It’s a Wonderful Life,” watched it and thought, “I can’t wait until we live in the Potterville that Mr. Foulkes envisions.”

I don’t believe that any conservative, libertarian or liberal believes that our lives need central planning. Soviet-style central planning failed; however, I do recall that we instituted many aspects of central planning during World War II. We could not have achieved victory without directing our industries what to manufacture for the war effort and encouraging our citizens to buy war bonds and donate scrape metal. We were the “Arsenal of Democracy.” We also did “silly things” like the government initiating the construction of the Hoover Dam and the interstate highway system. No entrepreneur had the resources or will to take on these projects.

Additionally, Mr. Foulkes citing Albert Speer and the planning of Nazi-era Berlin was an extreme example of central planning. There are many social democratic governments in the European Union which he could have used as current and relevant examples of the shortcoming of government planning. I recall that President Nixon implemented wage and price controls in the 1970s. These had a negative impact of the economy and serve as a conservative government example of central planning.

Regarding Mr. Foulkes’ purchase of a desk lamp, thank goodness that he has the resources to purchase one. He should not be amazed at how many lamps there are, but amazed that most of them are made outside of the United States. I agree with Mr. Foulkes that “entrepreneurs know what to make thanks to prices, profits and losses.” To achieve low prices and maximum profits, the item is likely made in a country which tolerates low wages and draconian working conditions. I recall Nike using child labor to manufacture shoes in Indonesia. Child labor laws were enacted here decades ago.

Do we want more government interference in our lives?

Absolutely not. What we desire is an opportunity to earn a living and contribute to the economy. We want a strong public education system which gives everyone the opportunity to attend school and in some cases to have a taxpayer-subsidized warm breakfast and lunch. We want clean air and clean water. We want taxpayer funded infrastructure and zoning protections.

We don’t want to live in Potterville.

— Gary S. Izo

Terre Haute

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