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The Money of Fools (Thomas Sowell)
Jewish World Review ^ | September 14, 2010 | Thomas Sowell

Posted on 09/13/2010 8:56:37 PM PDT by jazusamo

Seventeenth century philosopher Thomas Hobbes said that words are wise men's counters, but they are the money of fools.

That is as painfully true today as it was four centuries ago. Using words as vehicles to try to convey your meaning is very different from taking words so literally that the words use you and confuse you.

Take the simple phrase "rent control." If you take these words literally-- as if they were money in the bank-- you get a complete distortion of reality.

New York is the city with the oldest and strongest rent control laws in the nation. San Francisco is second. But if you look at cities with the highest average rents, New York is first and San Francisco is second. Obviously, "rent control" laws do not control rent.

If you check out the facts, instead of relying on words, you will discover that "gun control" laws do not control guns, the government's "stimulus" spending does not stimulate the economy and that many "compassionate" policies inflict cruel results, such as the destruction of the black family.

Do you know how many millions of people died in the war "to make the world safe for democracy"-- a war that led to autocratic dynasties being replaced by totalitarian dictatorships that slaughtered far more of their own people than the dynasties had?

Warm, fuzzy words and phrases have an enormous advantage in politics. None has had such a long run of political success as "social justice."

The idea cannot be refuted because it has no specific meaning. Fighting it would be like trying to punch the fog. No wonder "social justice" has been such a political success for more than a century-- and counting.

(Excerpt) Read more at jewishworldreview.com ...


TOPICS: Editorial; Philosophy
KEYWORDS: moneyoffools; sowell; thomassowell
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1 posted on 09/13/2010 8:56:40 PM PDT by jazusamo
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To: abigail2; Amalie; American Quilter; arthurus; awelliott; Bahbah; bamahead; Battle Axe; ...
*PING*
Thomas Sowell

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Recent columns
Political Fables
Things go better when politicians do nothing
The Passing of E-6

Please FReepmail me if you would like to be added to or removed from the Thomas Sowell ping list…

2 posted on 09/13/2010 8:59:48 PM PDT by jazusamo (But there really is no free lunch, except in the world of political rhetoric,.: Thomas Sowell)
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To: jazusamo

I treasure Thomas Sowell.


3 posted on 09/13/2010 9:00:48 PM PDT by marktwain
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To: jazusamo

bump!


4 posted on 09/13/2010 9:01:05 PM PDT by GeronL (http://libertyfic.proboards.com <--- My Fiction/ Science Fiction Board)
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To: All

Printer friendly link:

http://www.jewishworldreview.com/cols/sowell091410.php3?printer_friendly


5 posted on 09/13/2010 9:12:08 PM PDT by jazusamo (But there really is no free lunch, except in the world of political rhetoric,.: Thomas Sowell)
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To: jazusamo

Thanks for the ping jaz. Another excellent expression from the Master.


6 posted on 09/13/2010 9:13:58 PM PDT by rockinqsranch (Dems, Libs, Socialists, call 'em what you will, they ALL have fairies livin' in their trees.)
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To: jazusamo

One of Tom’s best!


7 posted on 09/13/2010 9:27:05 PM PDT by stephenjohnbanker
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To: jazusamo

Great column!

“Social justice” is a buzz word the leftists use to justify all sorts of ridiculous legislation and judgments.

The great deceiver who currently occupies the White House has used the phrase many times.


8 posted on 09/13/2010 9:27:35 PM PDT by Rocky (REPEAL IT!)
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To: jazusamo

Sowell is brilliant. Never disagreed with anything of his I’ve read or heard. Don’t say that lightly - I am an ornery Constitutionalist who challenges everything I see, hear, and read.

Oops, I’m a racist Tea Bagger. Must hate him because he’s black. /leftscum media

Oops again, he’s not black because he refuses to live on the demscum plantation. /leftist media and DNC


9 posted on 09/13/2010 9:31:03 PM PDT by piytar (There is evil. There is no such thing as moderate evil.)
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To: piytar

Right on! :-)


10 posted on 09/13/2010 9:34:17 PM PDT by jazusamo (But there really is no free lunch, except in the world of political rhetoric,.: Thomas Sowell)
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To: jazusamo

In a better land, men like Sowell would be the ones advising the ruler. Believe me, there are countries on this planet where people like Thomas Sowell are appreciated regardless of what part is in power. Here, let’s face it, he’s marginalized, while the wisdom of the mob is followed at the top. We need to change...


11 posted on 09/13/2010 9:36:50 PM PDT by Revolting cat! (Let us prey!)
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To: jazusamo

thanks, i adore everything he writes.... utter brilliance...


12 posted on 09/13/2010 9:38:16 PM PDT by Tamzee (OBAMA ---- ALL SHAM, NO WOW)
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To: Revolting cat!

Well said, hopefully change is coming.


13 posted on 09/13/2010 9:40:31 PM PDT by jazusamo (But there really is no free lunch, except in the world of political rhetoric,.: Thomas Sowell)
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To: jazusamo
Thanks for the ping, Jaz!

Have you seen this? I bet you have but I think it's pretty neat, a video discussion in five parts; "Thomas Sowell on American Collapse".

Click the pic below, then scroll down to August 20, use the permalinks to access each part.

There's also two other interviews with Sowell as you continue to scroll down. One on "Intellectuals and Society" and another on "Housing".


14 posted on 09/13/2010 9:50:18 PM PDT by smoothsailing
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To: smoothsailing; All

Thanks, Smooth.

That’s a very good series with Sowell on American Collapse, anyone who hasn’t seen it should take the time to view it.

The more videos I see of Dr. Sowell the more I admire him, at eighty years old he’s as sharp as a tack. I truly believe he’s one of if not the greatest thinker in the country.


15 posted on 09/13/2010 10:18:51 PM PDT by jazusamo (But there really is no free lunch, except in the world of political rhetoric,.: Thomas Sowell)
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To: jazusamo

I posted yesterday: “The Left can only rape common sense and the English language for so long.”


16 posted on 09/13/2010 11:24:09 PM PDT by Gene Eric
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To: jazusamo
Warm, fuzzy words and phrases have an enormous advantage in politics. None has had such a long run of political success as "social justice." The idea cannot be refuted because it has no specific meaning. Fighting it would be like trying to punch the fog.

Like "hope and change". The money of fools.
Thomas Sowell is a genius and this is another masterpiece.

17 posted on 09/13/2010 11:27:35 PM PDT by Lancey Howard
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To: jazusamo

ping


18 posted on 09/13/2010 11:37:12 PM PDT by rogue yam
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To: jazusamo

It’s a shame that the “first Black President” couldn’t have been Thomas Sowell. (Or Clarence Thomas, or Colonel Allen West, or Walter Williams)


19 posted on 09/14/2010 1:11:58 AM PDT by Clink (Conservatives believe it when they see it. Liberals see it when they believe it.)
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To: Clink

Excellent list. I hope to see it expand.

But still, as long as we have a true Conservative, we all benefit by virtue of our shared Liberties blind to our distinctive traits.


20 posted on 09/14/2010 1:28:28 AM PDT by Gene Eric
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