Capitalism and Prosperity
by Steve Ralston

Paul Driessen' article in your April 26th edition regarding the Doe Run Company and its efforts in Peru, seems to be an excellent example of the free market at its best. If "stake-holders" in a corporation can co-opt the mission of the company and redirect efforts to chasing gremlins, however, they can successfully stymie efforts to develop poor nations.

While the company may have paid for his trip, if the story as written is complete and true, it clearly shows that the socialist liberal left are using the same trick here they have used elsewhere. If they can redirect efforts and attention from the company mission to their own, they can block or impede progress.

Instilling fear and creating roadblocks by using the very system established to create an open and honest communication, is a typical tool of those who need to block any successes so they can push their agenda. One question for me is, "what is the extent of the stake of Oxfam and others who are shouting such slogans?" Perhaps I am being cynical, but something tells me these folks are not all that invested in this company. Over the years, many corporation boards have had to establish new rules of order, so they could conduct business despite the manuevers of so-called "stake-holders."

Board and annual meetings were being hijacked by stake-holders with little stake and much noise. They were redirecting company policies and missions to suit them, while real stake-holders were cowed into remaining quiet. Once rules were established, the minor noisy stake-holders lost their ability to take over board and annual meetings. That allowed others to speak up and out regarding how they wanted their company or stake to be exercised.

I believe we need to somehow get the media to report on studies that confirm a free market vibrant economy is the best avenue to improve the lives of people. Economic freedom and prosperity leads to a more peaceful world. Those doing well are less apt to be fighting in the streets. If the public knew or understood that economic vitality leads to peace and prosperity, few would be espousing or buying into the socialists line of compulsory wealth redistribution.

For years I have been listening to or reading how free market economies are evil and greedy. Yet when one looks at those nations practicing free market economics, one finds a happy and peaceful populace. Until folks understand that the socialist model becomes overbearing and demands to be fed more and more of what one earns, they will buy into the false socialist utopian vision of "everyone getting along."

The drag on everyday people when the socialist model is imposed, has been shown to cause a malaise that drags down the character and desire of a peoples. Somehow, an effort must be made to counter the constant barrage of socialism is best so folks see the difference and understand what is best for them is always freedom to chose!

Great story. Well written. We need more stories about this and any efforts to follow, so the world is not trapped into what will become a despotic mass of bureaucrats taking more and more everyday! Imagine a world with one government at the United Nations, and someone like Kofi Annan in charge!!!

Steve Ralston, Coatesville, PA, USA

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