"Gig Giacona" wrote in message ...
"Carl Ellis" wrote in message
...

"Gig Giacona" wrote in message
...

"Carl Ellis" wrote in message
...
Gig Giacona wrote:

And with the advances in science I wouldn't bet the farm that
there
will
never be another marketable Cuban mahogany tree IF there is
sufficient
demand.



Yes, this is an argument that is often made, the market will save us
all
with advances in technology and science and efficiency. The market
serves
itself, what is good for the market is not necessarily good for the
public.
Their interests may intersect but don't bet the farm on it.

- Carl -




How about an example..




ENRON


ENRON could have not have happened in a truly free market. It is an example
of what happens as a market is freed after a long period of artificial
control. Another example is the Russian Mafia.

Deregulation simply gave ENRON the opportunity to game the system. It
all boils down to whether people want to play fair or not. Yes, in
the end the market punished them by dropping their stock price to zero
but only after the government opened investigations. People will
cheat if they believe they can get away with it. The "free market"
does not prevent this.

I believe a truly free market is unattainable - it's a utopian ideal.
Human nature will not allow it.


- Carl -