The Both-Sides Idea; H. M. McBain

Do objectivity and fairness demand that they present the case for coin clipping? They say no. Then why do they arrange for speakers and teachers who endorse the monetization of debt? After all, the device of monetizing debt is merely a modern arrangement of the old idea of clipping coins. Objectivity and fairness aren't the real reasons a person arranges for the presentation of both sides. The primary reason is this: The person hasn't made up his own mind! He doesn't arrange for a defense of coin clipping be cause he himself has repudiated the idea of coin clipping. He arranges to have the case for monetization of debt [ 355] presented because he himself hasn't yet repudiated that method of financing government. Objective persons have repudiated the ideas of astrol ogy, slavery, alchemy, witchcraft, and the divine right of kings. They no longer believe that the earth is Hat. Therefore, no objective person can, in good conscience and fairness, be responsible for having those ideas pre sented as valid. In like manner, if a person has rejected the ideas of government ownership and government con trols, advocates of those ideas won't be on any programs over which he has authority.

When a person voluntarily arranges for the presenta tion of socialistic ideas along with free market ideas, you may be sure of this: He hasn't completely repudiated socialism; he hasn't completely accepted the ideas of the free market and of government restricted to the equal protection of the life, liberty, and honestly acquired property of everyone. Here is a truism:- If the evidence clearly indicates that an idea or policy is untrue or evil, no fair and objective person will voluntarily arrange to have it presented as valid. [356 ] CCDOWNTOWN~~ SOCIALISM tg ~ W. :JJgte6 "DOWNTOWN" is an institution created by transportation facilities. Because the consumers can get there easily, merchants locate there; and because many merchants do so, more consumers come to the area so that they may "shop around" with the least exertion. "Downtown" is a convenience as well as a business center. But we are really talking of the past. A new kind of transportation-the automobile-has created a condition that threatens the growth, if not the existence, of "down town." This personal, pleasant, and fast means of trans portation has made it possible for many of "downtown's"