Bill,
I say this because look at artificially high stock prices in the 1990s or artificially high housing prices throughout the same period and the early century. In both instances stocks for companies were way overvalued because of speculation and it took a while, but eventually the market corrected itself. Admittedly oil should be higher right now, but not as high as it is.

Yeah, Democrat mayor Ray Nagin did a great job letting all those buses flood instead of transporting people out of the fish bowl.

I’m pro individual choice far more than you realize. I’m not going to give you a line item list of my positions; feel free to search the archives if you’re curious about my beliefs.

I’m no anarchist. The primary function of government is not to “govern” – a word whose very definition smacks of authoritarianism (to rule over by right of authority). The primary functions of government include protecting its citizens, providing a just legal system, and interfacing with other governments. The initial purpose of our federal government was to be minimally intrusive into the lives of private citizens and the affairs of the states. The bloated leviathan we have today would be considered an abomination by the Founders. And yes, I’ve been quite critical of the Bush administration on this point.

Regarding your “fox guarding the hen house” comment – you’re wrong, unless you consider Federal government entities like the FTC subservient to the oil companies.

Getting back on topic, explain what you mean by “profit should [not] be at the [expense] of … the American people.” Riddle me this – if an American willingly trades his/her money for any product (whatever the price or profit) why do you have a beef? It’s not like we make the decisions under threat of force (except when we’re talking about taxes).

How long have you been reading this blog? Where do you get the idea that Brian doesn’t believe in an individual’s right to choose on social issues? I suggest that you go back and read the archives.

I’ve also noticed that Bush and Cheney have created the largest government in United States History and yes they have taken a way a lot of our “freedoms” and they’ve granted themselves more power than any Executive branch in U.S.history.

So you are pro individual choice as it applies to the “marketplace” but not when it comes to an individuals right to chose on social issues?

The purpose of Government is to Govern. Without Government we would have chaos and anarchy. Who is running the government controls the size and the scope.

You said that the market rarely corrects itself in a timely matter. Why do you think that? I don’t necessarily disagree with you. Just want to know why.

Brain, I would like to know why you are anti government. You are anti government schools, anti government help, what’s the deal?

BTW, good to have you back. I noticed your previous blog went belly up a while back.