[PRCo] Tiny summary to Econ-100

[Phillip Clark Campbell]

> ----- Original Message ----

> From: John Swindler <j_swindler at hotmail.com>
> To: pittsburgh-railways at dementia.org
> Sent: Tuesday, December 30, 2008 6:01:26 AM
> Subject: [PRCo] Re: Gas Prices
> 
> 
> I rather like the 'balance of power' where government has safety oversight 
> and/or regulation to try to balance out unlimited profit motive.  OK, so that 
> can be very unrealistic in the world in which we live.
> 
> Cheers
> John


>> Mr.Lybarger wrote:
>>
>> If you remove the profit motive, you remove the incentive
>> for any kind of quality or service.  But you also get in
>> trouble when there is unlimited profit motive, because
>> in the hubris, the recognized need for those
>> qualities gets lost.

>> As with everything else, the best position is somewhere in the middle.

>> Ed


>>> Mr.Schneider wrote:
>>>
>>> Some countries do better than others but it isn't easy to have  
>>> government in the board room is it?????   I guess we will just have a  
>>> total economic collapse every 50 to 100 years?


Mr.Lybarger all but stated Mr.Swindler's position didn't he - balance.

Then Mr.Schneider notes the consequences of 'unlimited profit
motive' or lack of 'balance' - the recession / depression 'every 50
to 100 years.'  That is certainly better than 100% depression as under
a dictatorship isn't it.  (Please place big smiley here.)  Not laughing
at people under oppression - never - but the irony of the situations.

A new business startup reaps the fruit of good planning and produces
a nice profit.  A 'nice profit' can then get bigger can't it so that may
be the next goal.  Somewhere it crosses the line to be an obsession
with an ever greater profit.  This is subtle and happens over time
doesn't it so it is difficult to recognize, even those close to the 
situation.  Then we end up with this creative financing craze or
whatever similar.

Microsoft 'might' be an example.  (I have a 'profound' respect for
Microsoft as right this very second we are reaping benefits
they have engineered;  many times people bring very unreasonable
charges against MS don't they - note at end.)  MS started in a 
garage or similar and has grown astronomically.  They have been
very aggressive in defeating or swallowing competition.  They are
constantly criticized for their actions.  (Yet Mr.Gates himself is quite
the philanthropist isn't he.  He uses his wealth to benefit others.)
The company at this point is so large and aggressive that it
needs to be careful that it doesn't cross that line.


Phil


PS - Aside on MS.  Many feel that all the virus etc. attacks are
fault of MS and its Windows system not being engineered properly
but they ignore that this is an imperfect world and a perfect system
is not possible.  The challenge to hack will never go away;  new
patches to the system just raise the bar to the challenge.  I stand
in awe of MS accomplishments and wish them much success;
I don't like the virus but the evils of hackers can hardly be blamed
on MS.

PS - I also have heard of extremes with VA Mr.Swindler.  I have
also heard same of private health care industries.  When I lived in CA
a wife of a friend worked for CA state insurance oversight and 
highly recommended against a certain provider - with whom I 
was subscribed.  Many other health care providers reported similarly.  
I changed.