A Capitalist for Christ

Sometimes I get the feeling that people, especially Christian people, think that capitalism is a bad thing. Nope, it isn’t. Capitalism works because people are greedy. However, it works equally well, if everyone is really generous. I am free to work as hard as I want to make as much money as I want.. to give away. This only creates problems if the generous people are giving to those who don’t want to work, or if the wealthy are unwilling to give. The Bible clearly says that if anyone is unwilling to work, they shouldn’t eat. Of course, “unwilling” implies they are able, but choose not to. This is not the poor widows, crippled, etc. The Bible also speaks very loudly about taking care of those who cannot take care of themselves… “…this is true religion..”.

Some will say that because everyone is so greedy we need laws (taxes) that strip some of that wealth and give it to those who cannot help themselves. I can see where people are coming from here.. but:

1) This takes away the desire for people to create wealth.

2) This takes away people’s ability to give… because they are giving it to the gov’t instead.

3) The management of  the redistribution of wealth is hugely expensive, inefficient, and unproductive. I don’t know the numbers.. but I would guess the large percentage of each dollar given to socialist programs goes towards paying for the bureaucracy that is managing it. Where as when I give directly to those in need.. I can give 100% to them.

Before America’s great depression the Government relied on Church’s, community organizations, and even families to support those unable to support themselves. The times have changed. Now, when disaster strikes.. everyone looks to the Government for help. If everyone put what they were putting into the Government, into emergency savings funds for themselves and others.. this would be infinitely more efficient.

I am glad I live in a country that doesn’t take 70% of my income to redistribute to others. I have lived in countries like that, and while I have seen some good.. it is mostly bad. I want to be free to redistribute my wealth however I see fit.

My favorite example of this is the Government sponsored water skiiing degree for the Maori in New Zealand. They get their degree in water skiing and then graduate.. to do what? This breeds resentment and racism for the rest of the Kiwis. Not to pick on NZ (it’s okay, they pick on the US all the time).. but another great example is the large number of unemployed people living on welfare.. when there are plenty of perfectly fine fruit picking jobs available. When polled about this, most said that picking fruit was socially unacceptable, while living off the Government was perfectly fine with them. I am pretty sure they get more money from the gov’t too.

Another great thing about capitalism is that it’s ultimately good for the environment. Everyday I hear about new environmentally friendly products.. from cars to paper. It’s unfortunate that it has taken this long for people to realize that it’s economically viable.. and for the average American consumer has finally come around. But in a few years there is going to be a huge shift. Wal-Mart is already leading the charge. The “invisible hand” strikes again.

We Americans have a tremendous responsibility to use what we have in a good way. So far, that opportunity has been mostly blown.. despite the tremendous wealth that gets sent of out of this country every day. It’s a pretty small percentage of our GDP.. what we need to remember is that it’s capitalism that has given us this opportunity in the first place. I am not suggesting we stuff all of our extra money into envelopes and send it off to poor countries.. but there are great opportunities to give all around us. I think the new “micro lending” programs are great… you send $20 to some guy that want’s to buy a cow so he can sell milk… then he pays you back once his little business is going… then you give it to someone else. Soon, their economy is booming and everyone can afford to help those around them who are unable to help themselves.