Milton Friedman in Saving Freedom

On Free Trade: Protectionist trade policies caused the Great Depression

Bad monetary policy and protectionist trade policies by the government, according to Friedman, caused the Great Depression. The public, however, believed that the economic breakdown was a failure of free market capitalism. This led to a loss of confidence in freedom and an increase in confidence in government. "Emphasis on the responsibility of the individual for his own fate was replaced by emphasis on the individual as a pawn buffeted by forces beyond his control."

Friedman writes that Americans still have time to make the choice between freedom and socialism. "We have not yet reached the point of no return." He challenges all American to make their choice wisely:

"Will our golden age come to an end in a relapse into the tyranny and misery that has always been, and remains today, the state of most mankind? Or shall we have the wisdom, the foresight, and the courage to change our course, to learn from experience, and to benefit from a "rebirth of freedom"?"

Source: Saving Freedom, by Jim DeMint, p.226 Jul 4, 2009

On Government Reform: Collectivism argument is simple; free market's is subtle

The argument for collectivism, for government doing something, is simple. Anybody can understand it. "If there's something wrong, pass a law. If somebody is in trouble, get Mr. X to help them out." The argument for voluntary cooperation, for a free market, is not nearly so simple. It says, "You know, if you allow people to cooperate voluntarily and don't interfere with them, indirectly, through the operation of the market, they will improve matters more than you can improve it dir3ectly by appointing somebody." That's a subtle argument, and it's hard for people to understand it. Moreover, people think that when you argue that way you're arguing for selfishness, for greed. That's utter nonsense. Source: Saving Freedom, by Jim DeMint, p. 45 Jul 4, 2009

On Government Reform: Free society requires putting up with temporary evils

"The maintenance of a free society is a very difficult and complicated thing. And it requires a self-denying ordinance of the most extreme kind. It requires a willingness to put up with temporary evils on the basis of the subtle and sophisticated understanding that if you step in to try to do something about them, you not only may make them worse, but you will spread your tentacles and get bad results elsewhere." --Milton Friedman

In 2008, I tried to pass a one-year moratorium on earmarks, but it failed after the leadership of both parties maneuvered appropriators to pressure members to oppose the bill. But we're making progress. Americans are beginning to catch on and more are beginning to oppose earmarks.

Source: Saving Freedom, by Jim DeMint, p.118-119 Jul 4, 2009

On Principles & Values: Individual choice is the essence of freedom

"Political leaders in capitalist countries who cheer the collapse of socialism in other countries continue to favor socialist solutions in their own. They know the words, but they have not learned the tune." --Milton and Rose Friedman, published in the best seller "Free to Choose" in 1980.

An individual making his own choices based on his own values, according to Friedman, was the essence of freedom.

Friedman also argued that the free operation of the economy provides a backstop to the centralization of power in the government sector. When economic and social decisions are made in the private sector and wealth is held by individuals, the size and scope of government power is restricted.

Source: Saving Freedom, by Jim DeMint, p.225-226 Jul 4, 2009

The above quotations are from Saving Freedom: We Can Stop America's Slide into Socialism, by Sen. Jim DeMint. Click here for other excerpts from Saving Freedom: We Can Stop America's Slide into Socialism, by Sen. Jim DeMint. Click here for other excerpts by Milton Friedman. Click here for a profile of Milton Friedman.
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