The triumph of persuasion over force is the sign of a civilized society. Mark Skousen More Quotes by Mark Skousen More Quotes From Mark Skousen Taxation is the price we pay for failing to build a civilized society. The higher the tax level, the greater the failure. A centrally planned totalitarian state represents a complete defeat for the civilized world, while a totally voluntary society represents its ultimate success. Mark Skousen ultimate-success failure pay Taxation is the price we pay for failing to build a civilized society. The higher the tax level, the greater the failure. Mark Skousen taxation levels pay In short, my vision of a responsible free society is one in which we discourage evil, but do not prohibit it. We make our children and students aware of the consequences of drug abuse and other forms of irresponsible behavior. But after all our persuading, if they still want to use harmful drugs, that is their privilege. In a free society, individuals must have the right to do right or wrong, as long as they don't threaten or infringe upon the rights or property of others. They must also suffer the consequences of their actions, as it is from consequences that they learn to choose properly Mark Skousen freedom rights children You can judge a man by the books in his library. Mark Skousen judging men book Most of Marx's predictions have failed to materialize, and his labor theory of value and other ideas have been proven wrong. Marx failed to recognize the incentive system built into the capitalist model - consumer choice and the profit motive of the entrepreneur. The irony is that capitalism, not socialism or Marxism, that has liberated the worker from the chains of poverty, monopoly, war, and oppression, and has better achieved Marx's vision of a millennium of hope, peace, abundance, leisure, and aesthetic expression for the 'full' human being. Mark Skousen expression war ideas The fundamental flaw in Social Security and Medicare is that they violate the 'welfare principle' in economics. The welfare principle forms the fundamental basis of all charitable work in churches and other private organizations: assist those who need help, and equally important, don't assist individuals who can take care of themselves. Mark Skousen charitable-work important organization All workers, whether they are employed in the private or public sector, should avoid living 'paycheck to paycheck.' Studies show that every household wastes 10% or more of its salary or income on unnecessary expenditures or by not taking the time to shop for better prices. It's all a matter of proper budgeting. Mark Skousen budgeting salary income No one spends someone elses money as carefully as he spends his own. Mark Skousen economy-and-economics market-economy free-market We shall never change our political leaders until we change the people who elect them. Mark Skousen political leader people The profit motive promotes economic growth by creating better products at cheaper prices. Mark Skousen economic creating growth One suggestion my wife and I have used in our personal finance courses we teach at college is simply writing down all expenditures and seeing where the money goes. That alone will cause heads of households to think twice about x, y or z expenditure, and to consider carefully whether they really need something or not. Mark Skousen college writing thinking It is business that generates the jobs, income and taxes that keep a country going. Mark Skousen income jobs country In a free society, individuals have the right to do right or wrong, as long as they don't threaten or infringe upon the rights or property of others. Mark Skousen society rights long Donating money to a few of my favorite free-market organizations used to be a pleasant duty, but now I'm literally inundated with demands from hundreds of think tanks and public-policy groups, all vying for my limited funds Mark Skousen tanks organization thinking Balance in life is the key, as Aristotle taught us. Nobody likes a naive Pollyanna, but neither do we like to be around people who are constantly complaining and finding fault. Mark Skousen taught-us keys people Contrary to what President Obama said in his inaugural address, going on Medicare and food stamps does not strengthen us. Just ask people who are fourth-generation welfare recipients. Mark Skousen addresses president people Fraud is common when you give away billions. Fraud related to Hurricane Katrina spending is estimated to top $2 billion. In addition, debit cards provided to hurricane victims were used to pay for Caribbean vacations, NFL tickets, Dom Perignon champagne, 'Girls Gone Wild' videos, and at least one sex change operation. Mark Skousen vacation girl sex I only have disdain for New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg. He raised taxes and has increased regulations. What else is new? He's a bully who wants to micro-manage people's lives by mandate, not persuasion. Mark Skousen cities new-york people The reality is that business and investment spending are the true leading indicators of the economy and the stock market. If you want to know where the stock market is headed, forget about consumer spending and retail sales figures. Look to business spending, price inflation, interest rates, and productivity gains. Mark Skousen gains want reality In the early 1980s, I burned my Social Security card at the New Orleans Investment Conference in protest of the state pension system. 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