The Northern Agrarian

There’s nothing I hate debating more than finances, so without delving into the specifics of the current financial crisis and my own opinion on the Federal Reserve’s “Boom-and-Bust” system, here is a brief thought.

In the pinelands of New Jersey, which I live extremely close to, it is accepted that every few years a major fire will sweep through the forest, destroying most life. But the emergency services in the area do not put the fires out; in fact they set up a perimeter and allow the pinelands to burn while protecting surrounding communities.

Something about the way the pines burn allows the forests to sprout up again within months, fuller and more beautiful than before. It is the tired Phoenix metaphor, but rarely is it applied to human endeavor.

Which brings me to my point. For too many years, Wall Street has behaved in a way that sacrifices personal responsibility and decency for a healthy bottom line for investors. This has involved corporate America using corporate Republicans to implement friendly policies, including massive amounts of corporate welfare. Indeed, big-government conservatism has benefited big businesses while not allowing mom-and-pop stores to compete. The chorus for years has been “Healthy communities be damned! Instead, give me more and more for less and less. We won’t ask about accounting practices or faulty business decisions. Just give us a healthy bottom line.” And then we feign disgust when someone gets caught cheating.

As these financial fires spread, those in power (in government and in corporate America) are trying to scare us into accepting billions to bail out a relatively small group of people. And the recent rejection of the bailout bill will cause short-term pain, no doubt. But as a people Americans are faced with two options: accept socialistic governmental control of capital and an incredibly intrusive role in the economy, or endure the labor pains of a different system being born. No longer can we couple no corporate regulation with massive corporate welfare. When forced to chose, the best choice is clear.

So while alarmists in power continue to scream “FIRE!” at the top of their lungs, be not alarmed. Sometimes the best option is to let it all burn down.