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"What kind of society isn't structured on greed? The problem of social organization is how to set up an arrangement under which greed will do the least harm; capitalism is that kind of a system." ~~Milton Friedman
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Greed is a natural human emotion and
way of relating to the world. Everybody
has greed as a toddler and even after
we learn about the ideas of property
we still want what that other person
has. So long as people are people we
will have greed. That's a constant.
In a non-POM economy, greed is a
good thing. Greed makes everything
work. Without greed, the non-POM
system could fail. A greedy person
has a strong desire for more things,
particularly luxury items and services.
The greedy person wants to gain as
much money as possible. The greedy
person works hard and tries to work
smart. Those are greedy people providing
food to the hungry, shelter to the
homeless, and clothing to the bare.
Those are greedy people down in that
mine bringing out the ore at risk
of life and limb. Those are greedy
people working 80 hour weeks to meet
deadlines.
But these greedy people in a non-POM
economy are working hard to help
other people, to make their lives
safer, longer, and more comfortable.
Those greedy folks are doing their
best to provide the most net-benefit
possible because that's how they
satisfy their greed. The only way
they can get rich is to do a lot
of good for others. And they really
want to be rich.
So the greedy person in a non-POM
economy is a paragon of virtue, always
on the lookout for something to do
that will help others.
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"By directing that industry in such a manner as its produce may be of greatest value, he intends only his own gain, and he is … led by an invisible hand to promote an end which was no part of his intention.
" ~~Adam Smith
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Fears
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its Cause and Cure
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