When I was a child, when you wanted to express your disdain for a person of authority one method of choice was to draw the mustache. The mustache I am referring to is the sort that curves up and around and around and gives the wearer a distinctly diabolical appearance. When a person is say 12 is thought funny to draw pictures of the teacher, then, with great flair and gusto to put a mustache on that person. Then, if they are really really disliked then of course you could add horns.
Imagine my suprise when I found myself drawing mustaches and horns on pictures of gentlemen of distinction in a recent Wall Street Journal article. First, a note about the drawers intellectual persuasion. I am a capitalist, in the liberal sense. I usually don't get excited about hating those who make more money than me or those who have more power. I believe in liberty and Austrian Economics. So, what makes a 50 year old housewife go so crazy as to draw mustaches on perfect strangers????
Well, here is the article in its entirety, brought to you by the intrepid reporting of the WSJ and whomever is willing to share what is on the menu at an exclusive party... besides collusion.
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748703795004575087741848074392.html
The cliff notes version is that some folk who have the ability to move markets had a dinner party where they discussed the decline of the Euro. In an abstract way, the decline of a currency seems to be a yawn who cares to most regular Joes on the street. The thing is however, that if a currency loses the amount of value that Mr. Soros is predicting and possibly orchestrating- the wealth of the Euro zone will be affected in ways that enrich a few at the expense of the many. So, why would a capitatlist care? Because this is not a free and properly functioning market. Collusion of players who have vast resources can manipulate markets. This is not the use of capital to be productive. The fault is not with the market, but rather with the heart of the cheaters.
The thing is that this is the sort of thing that makes many cry for regulation. The truth is that no amount of government regulation international or national can regulate around a person intent on cheating. The individual must self regulate. The golden rule... do unto others as you would have them do onto you... underpins any free market and any free society. We in the United States are far from a free market, and maneuvering by the ultra wealthy using leverage and other peoples money is a serious risk to world stability. Plotting and scheming as these persons reportedly did to move the markets is bad news, plain and simple.... It is unethical and it is why I give them a big twirlly mustache and horns. My Mom taught me always to wait to hear the other side of the story. I am waiting and stand eraser in hand if I am wrong and owe the gentlemen's pictures I defaced and apology. If any would like to write, I am waiting for their side of the story.
