The Problem with Adam

We've all heard the theory before: laissez-faire government allows the "invisible hand" of capitalism to create wealth. The economic "pie" gets bigger and, in theory, everyone is better off.

It's touted as realistic, because it makes use of an observable human characteristic: self-interest. In effect, laissez-faire capitalism says "this is the way people are, we may as well take advantage of it."

Besides the obvious ethical flaw in accepting what is commonly thought of in negative terms (greed), in some cases calling it "good," this theory is problemmatic in terms of simple logic: how can we expect something "good" to come of bad intent? It's like making an omelete from rotten eggs: it may look good, but it stinks...and it's inedible.

Oh, to be sure, it works for some...generally those who already have. But there are even more who suffer from such illogic. In the globalized economy there are fewer places to hide. The injustices can no longer be swept under the economic rug.

It all reminds me of those summer afternoons at the lake. Someone had built a raft and tied it way out in the deep water. Kids would swim out, use it for a diving platform or to enjoy the sun. When you got there, there was a feeling of self-accomplishment. Those already on the raft hadn't done much of anything to help those who followed (except maybe cheer them on...or sometimes jeer!), but in the end they shared a sense of triumph. It was anyone's game. All were welcome to swim out, hoist themselves up, and share in the revelry.

Unfortunately, there were many who would never make it out to that raft. Maybe they couldn't swim--they hadn't benefited from expensive swimming lessons at the club or weren't self-taught in the backyard swimming pool. Maybe they just didn't like to swim, or weren't built for that kind of haul. Maybe they had spent their spare time working to help support the family, or had simply been told that swimming wasn't important. These were the ones who stayed on the shore, or nearly drowned in their attempts to reach the raft while laughing "peers" looked on.

IF the playing field were truly equal, one might make a logical case for Smith's "invisible hand." Unfortunately, an honest appraisal of the world reveals something far from that level field. Instead we discover a lot of people continue to be left behind while elitists buzz that old saw that it's all about opportunity, hard work, and perseverence. If you fail, it's your own fault.

The saw buzzes at great peril to the future of humanity, relegating some to the category of "burden on society" and completely missing the assets of their humanity which call for a wider definition of success, a more generous spirit, a true equality.