[AEMILIUS PAULUS]

There never has and never will be "Free Market Capitalism." Every succesful business immediately seeks a monopoly. The business entities management immediately seeks political support whether from king, president or parliment in attempting to achieve their monopoly. The political people grant the Capitalists their monopoly for a price. The price is typically low at first but becomes steeper as time passes.

I love the "Free Trade" fanatics preaching an 18th century abstraction that never was and never will be.

[ClearCase_guy]

What you say is true. The concept of "free market capitalism" is like a mathematical limit -- you might want to get there, but "close" is all you can really hope for.

That's why Limited Government is the way. If the government is weak and starved for cash, it will lack the ability to influence markets or prop up monopolies. There will always be some interference, but with really small government, you can get close to a "free market".

[A_Tradition_Continues]

Every succesful business immediately seeks a monopoly. The business entities management immediately seeks political support whether from king, president or parliment in attempting to achieve their monopoly.

Your statement is simply BS. Either you have never ran a successful business or simply one of those anti-capitalist Occupy Wall Street baffoons. I suggest you get out and talk to some successful business owners.

[BfloGuy]

I love the "Free Trade" fanatics preaching an 18th century abstraction that never was and never will be.

As opposed, I assume, to the protectionists who whine about government control -- except for trade where it's perfectly justified. The protectionists preach a 19th century abstraction where the division of labor is good for the individual, smart for a city, and correct for a state or province.

But, miraculously, and without explanation, the benefits of the division of labor stop at the nation's borders. Now, that's a theory. And one that's been disproved many, many times.