The Positive Approach

A Page on Freedom Number 20 The PositiveApproach THE LIBERAL-SOCIALISTis always positively for something. But the conservative-libertarian is all too frequently merely against some thing. That's why the socialists are winning. Now personally I'm positively for every good thing there is. For example, I'm aggressively in favor of higher standards for educa tion-and more and better education-than any socialist I ever met. I want the best possible medical care for everyone. With all my heart, I desire that every family in the U'nited States and elsewhere shall be well fed, well clothed, and well housed. While the socialists campaign for minimum wages and minimum standards of living, I shall continue positively to explain to people how the free market will bring maximum wages, high standards, and more goods and services for everyone. I'm for the maximum and against the minimum. If people only realized it, the advocates of these minimums and averages are their deadliest enemies. The socialists want to depress the people to a common level; the libertarian wants to elevate each individual person to his highest capabilities.

The socialists want to standardize people; the libertarian wants to encourage and assist each person to develop his own personality and potentiality to the fullest. The socialists want to restrict and forbid and control; the liber tarian wants to remove the artificial and man-made obstacles to peace, progress, and plenty. Since that is what you and I favor, why don't we say so? If we explain our viewpoints consistently and effectively, we will soon put the socialists on the defensive where they belong. For when it comes to an interest in the true welfare of people, the socialists are small men of little vision. -Dean Russell ® THE FOUNDATION FOR ECONOMIC EDUCATION, INC. IRVINGTO~ON-HUDSON, NEW YORK 10.533 323 1985 Summer Seminarsat FEE June 23-29 July 14-20 August 4-10 For twenty-two years our annual summer seminars have offered a thor ough introduction to the principles of limited government and the mar keteconomy. Our sessionsattract lively and diverse groups of people including students, teachers, business proprietors and employees.

The week includes thirty-five hours of lecture and discussion, with ample time for participants to meet informally with both staff and dis tinguished guest lecturers. The Foundation, situated on a five-acre es tate in a quiet suburb near New York City, provides an ideal setting for a week of study and reflection. The charge for a seminar-tuition, supplies, room and boardis $400. Fellowships (including partial travel grants) are available. A de tailed seminar brochure will be sent on request. Pleaseaddress all requests for applications and further information to: Summer Seminars Foundation for Econom ic Education Irvington, New York 10533 (914) 591-7230 E. C. Pasour, Jr. Economic Reality and u.s.Government Farm Programs FARM BANKRUPTCIES are front-page news. Although the magnitude ofthe problem has undoubtedly been ov erstated by the media, there are no hard data on the precise number of farm businesses experiencing finan cial stress. According to a 1984 sur vey, less than 20 percent of all farm operators had debt/asset ratios of 40 percent or higher.! While the USDA on the basis of a recent Amer ican Bankers Association survey of agricultural banks found the inci dence of farm bankruptcies "rela tively low," pleas for government to "do something" are widespread throughout the land. 2 The paradoxical nature of the call for government action to alleviate the economic distress in U.S. agriculDr. Pasour is a Professor of Economics at North Car olina State University at Raleigh.