Capitalists for Capitalism

Reader comment on: A Capitalist for Capitalism

Submitted by Harry Binswanger (United States), Aug 25, 2012 12:26

Yes, the capitalists have to develop some spine. The archetype of what needs to be said is what Hank Rearden said at his trial (in Atlas Shrugged).

"I work for nothing but my own profit -- which I make by selling a product they need to men who are willing and able to buy it. I do not produce it for their benefit at the expense of mine, and they do not buy it for my benefit at the expense of theirs; I do not sacrifice my interests to them nor do they sacrifice theirs to me; we deal as equals by mutual consent to mutual advantage -- and I am proud of every penny that I have earned in this manner. I am rich and I am proud of every penny I own. . . .

"I refuse to apologize for my ability -- I refuse to apologize for my success -- I refuse to apologize for my money. . . . I could say to you that I have done more good for my fellow men than you can ever hope to accomplish -- but I will not say it, because I do not seek the good of others as a sanction for my right to exist, nor do I recognize the good of others as a justification for their seizure of my property or their destruction of my life. . . ."

"If it is now the belief of my fellow men, who call themselves the public, that their good requires victims, then I say: The public good be damned, I will have no part of it!"

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