Lesson #27 - Clashing Views on the Economy

Here's a letter Karl Marx sent me, he wanted it posted. Even thought there are a lot of other things I could be doing, I figuring complying to dead economists requests took priority.

"When Engels and I had published the communist manifesto in 1848, the world population numbered roughly 1.3 billion. With this comparatively small population in mind, Engels and I came to the conclusion that one state owned and operated by the people was the best form of social system possible. When Engels and I dreamed up the idea, we were more than willing to go through with the change and demonstrate the world that Communism was in fact the perfect system. History ran its course, and unfortunately, my dream was never realized. Communism was given a very bad name. This was with a comparatively small population. Now, with 6.5 billion people on earth, and with some countries numbering 1.3 billion strong, I have concluded that my dream was never to be realized. There are simply too many people in a country to have this happen.

With this in mind, I suggest we scale down the size of our cities, countries and towns alike. Divide up neighborhoods, states, so that the U.S. would not be made up of 50 states, but 500, for example. Each state would have its own democratically elected ruler, and everyone would work for the good of the country. By keeping things small, everything would become more manageable, and hopefully war and crime would subsist.

This is just a preliminary idea, but I hope people in MPA will be inspired by it and maybe one day, we will live in a peaceful utopian world. Oh, by the way what really happens in the afterlife is you gre"

That's all that I was able to translate, the letter had decomposed into ectoplasmic mush past that point.

Dear China,

Look at what your attempts of communism have done to your country. Provided your country is profitable, for now, but look at how happy your people are. Their living conditions are terrible, most places they live are so contaminated they cannot drink the water without getting sick. So many people there are poor, and none wealthier than another, aside from government officials. What does that say about you? What image does that reflect to the rest of the world? Obviously, capitalism is a much better way to go. That way, living conditions might improve, and your people and economy may grow to be more prosperous as one.

Your friend,
Adam Smith

The economic system in the United States today is in trouble. Me, being Adam Smith, know there are many different things that need fixing. But I, Adam Smith, believe that there is one thing right now that needs the most fixing, the creation of jobs. The biggest job killer, I believe, is government regulating the private sector.
A perfect example of government regulation that hurt our economy is the housing market crash. The construction and housing industry is the biggest employer in the nation, and was at a steady employment for decades. But then, the government regulators decided to intervene and forced banks to give loans to people who couldn't afford them. The government felt these loans would create more jobs in housing. This meant that more houses needed to be built and that meant people needed to be hired to cut down trees to make lumber, build streets, build washing machines, build pipes, install pipes, drive semi-trucks to haul things, build trucks in Detroit, etc. The list is endless of jobs that trickle down and were being created. But unfortunately, it was only a matter of time before those people who got loans and couldn't afford them were foreclosed on. All of a sudden, when these loans were foreclosed on demand suddenly stopped. People were laid off everywhere, because there was no demand for anything in the construction and housing industry, and there really has never been a debate that housing drives the US economy. This meant the people laid off also lost their house because they couldn't afford to pay their own loan. Unemployment is now up to ten percent because of this, and thirty percent of people are now working part-time because companies cannot afford to keep them full time. Not only this, but home values dropped because of the incredible lack of demand. People's net worth also dropped and that has many people scared. This, combined with people losing there jobs or working part-time, means that consumers are not out buying new products, such as a televisions, or an ice cream from the local shop. People kept there money for things they really needed, like paying their required living expenses. This means the local ice cream shop could go out of business, creating more unemployed people. Freezer manufacturers like GE have laid off people because product demand is not high enough to keep all their employees. More foreclosures have happened and are continuing. It all works in a circle, just because a government regulator thought they should intervene and help the people own a home.
Once our current problems are fixed, there is a very simple way to keep it from ever happening again. The simple fix is, eliminate government backed home loans, and allow private banks to determine who to loan money to. Private banks are trying to run a business, so they will not be reckless with their loans. They will only loan to people who are a good risk and can afford to pay their loans back.

Yo, America,

This is Karl Marx, sending you a shout out. What is wrong with you people and your lack of jobs? There are so many homeless people wandering about the streets as I was writing this letter. I counted two looking for gum on the sidewalks, three fighting two dimes and one joyfully excited about the ten-dollar bill he found pasted on the sidewalk.
And then I turn the corner and go down the street just a bit and find the completely rich society with their fancy hairdos and frosted nails and spending thousands of dollars on completely unimportant items. I was so outraged, I had to go to a middle class cafe to cool down. There, at least people were friendly and nice. Soft jazz music played in the background and I felt at home. This is what I'm talking about. I'm telling you, if you put The Communist Manifesto, the society I created with Engles, we could have an equal town where people are always nice to one another and there are no such things as no jobs or no employment. Get a grip, America and go The Communist Manifesto lane.

Peace out,

Karl Marx.

To: Future World
From: Karl Marx

I visited a soothsayer the other day, and she told me all about what's going on in the modern day world. I just want to congratulate all of you on the great work you've done. The world's largest emerging economic power is China, and if they play their cards right, they could control the global economy soon. Very soon. Even if they aren't really communists, at least they pretend to be. Once they whip America into submission, they should be able to go through the final stages of socialism, and become true communists. Oh, speaking of America, they have made great progress as well. I must admit that I doubted them for many years, but it seem I was wrong to fear them lost. Bailing out banks was a brilliant plan, and the purchase of General Motors (now Government Motors) even better. Hopefully other corporations will see that it is better to band together with the government . In twenty years, the White House could control American industry. Even though China and America have done well, I am the most impressed by Europe. They have finally realized what I wrote about men in the Communist Manifesto runs true for nations as well. Belgium, France, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, and West Germany founded the European Union. These countries had long been the proletariats of Europe, but joined for their common good, they had power. Soon, other small, weak countries joined as well. Eventually, even strong countries, like the UK, joined the European Union. This is my original communist dream, one man helping another. Strong countries helping the weak. Eventually, all of the nations in the world will form unions, and hopefully those Unions will join. Eventually people will realize that what is true for nations is true for families, neighborhoods, communities, and the nations of the world will revert to communism. Eventually, slowly, but inevitably, the world will become one happy, communist, family.

To the wonderful country of China,

I, Thomas Malthus, believe that your population of over 1 billion people is a bad idea. If I may add a suggestion, I would like to say that eventually, your population of 1 billion would continue to rise due to the fact that about 44,000 babies are born everyday. The population will increase faster than your food supply. Because you are not in a war or have any epidemics occurring, you will become poor and miserable. My advice for you is to start a war and kill most of your population or change your country into a capitalist country. Go for it, it will make life a whole lot better.

Your friend,

Thomas Malthus

Dear America,

I am not sure if you are aware of this but your overly zealous Capitalistic propensities are destroying the livelihoods of your esteemed people. As you move through your career as a country you have only furthered your Capitalist motives, which has caused the rich to grow even richer while the proletariat wallows in an ever-increasing pit of hopelessness and despair. I cannot say I applaud you in this, and yet there is still time to make amends! Revoke this useless system that seeks only to obfuscate the truth and instead adopt Communism as your ideology. If you do not soon there will come a time when the poor are no longer content to be the recipients of constant injustice and will rebel leaving you in a state of grievous injury. Please take my advice into consideration now, before it is too late.

Your humble friend,
Karl Marx

It has come to my attention that in the modern world we have nearly 6.8 billion people and of those people nearly 80% of them are living off of as little as $10 a day. Unfairly the large majority of people are in the lower classes and somehow we allowed the population to get this out of hand. In the past 200 years we have not put into place any measures to limit the poverty of the peoples and the growth of populations. Because of the unkempt population the poor are forced to live in even worse conditions. Of the ~5.5 billion people that live on $10 a day, 1/4 of them live on less than $1.5 a day. We needed to have set in place preventative measures and now we should begin positive checks to correct the population growth and to lessen the effects of poverty on the population.

With love,
Thomas "bobby" Malthus

Please remember to spay/neuter your pets

Karl Marx to America in 2010
Trevor Killeen

America,

My theories on economic collapse have proven true, but time and time again, western capitalist nations have refused to listen to me. We see now the horrible effects that a free market capitalist system has on the fibers and core of a society. With your economic recession, the government did attempt to "bail out" some of the most important banks and corporations, which is a good first step in evolving to a Marxist system, but more needs to be done. Businesses need to operate for the welfare of all, and not just for the owners of those businesses, and, thus, it is in the best interests of America and its citizens for the government were to take control of every aspect of the economy. This is the only way that true economic freedom for individual citizens will ever be achieved. Government does not run business, government is business.

Yours truly,

Karl Marx.

Good friends of America,
It my belief that a more effective system of caring for your people's health is readily available to you as a nation. From each of your citizens, all of their available effort is being put into strengthening you. And yet, not all of those people's needs are being fulfilled. If these people have agreed to reside within your lawful and geographical boundaries and labor for your well being, you must afford each of them a system of health which provides each with a healthy body, and not only those wealthy enough to buy it. Indeed, it is unjust to lend such an important service only to some when all could be benefiting from it. The discontent and struggle of your lower classes is unhealthy to you as a nation and to many Americans as human beings. It is therefore of my educated opinion that a change in health care systems would be beneficial to you.
-Karl Marx
(Jackson Beck)

Dear China

My name is Adam Smith and I have spent much time reviewing your myriad of socio-economic problems in your country. I have concluded that there is but one thing that you can do to help yourselves. Switch to Capitalism guys!! Geez!! How many times do I have to spell it out for you?
I'll explain. First of all, while your economy is quite powerful, your citizens lack the motivation to get your economy on par with the United States. The reason is simple: not only are they not getting paid much for their troubles, but they are all put into jobs and industries where they may not excel. I've been told you guys have something called the Hou Kou. It's that card every citizen carries that gives denotes their job and their acquisition of food rations and stamps. Because the government is deciding where each citizen is employed, the ones who could make a difference in certain industries aren't getting the chance to. As I said: switch to Capitalism! It gets the job done faster and more efficiently. Plus, the people actually want to do the job.

Hope that helps..

--Adam Smith

By Drew Maione

Dear United States of America,
I am Karl Marx and I see that you are having trouble with the COLA or social security income. For 58.7 million people rely on social security income over the years. But, for the last two there has been none and same with this on coming year. I find it quite foolish that these poor people can not get their income. It makes everything even worse considering that 95,000 people lost their jobs in September alone and the unemployment rate is at 9.6%. People are trying quite hard to get a job but considering that some people are not getting what they should it may be hard to find one. I think communism is a good way to go. I also think that it is about time the government takes a good look around at what is happening in your country. It is not looking too good to me.

Sincerely,
Karl Marx

LEAVE BUSINESSES ALONE!
1O/1O/1O

I saw an article in the New York Times this week that made me think the U.S. government is becoming increasingly disrupting in its now barely recognizable free market. This country's economy was built on laissez faire ideals, but now these ideals are being overtaken by government tampering.
The Obama administration recently held a meeting to set fuel efficiency standards for future cars and light trucks in the years 2017 through 2025. While they did not decide on a specific percentage of improvement for fuel emissions, they considered those from 3% [meaning cars would be required to have 47 MPG by 2025] to 6% [62 MPG]. Already the gasoline mileage standard will be 34.1 MPG by 2016, up from the 27.5 MPG it is now.
I just can't understand why the government feels it has to reach its hand, all too visible, into the market and interfere with the natural progress of the automotive industry. All businesses, according to the three natural laws of economics, will prosper on their own if they are left to do so themselves. If the administration simply allowed automobile companies to do business as usual, without getting involved, customers would demand more efficient cars and the industry would respond with a larger supply of them. The media promotes environmental consciousness right now, and that tends to rub off on the common people. Thus, different companies would see that their increasingly environmentally conscious clientele only wants to buy environmentally friendly cars, and the resulting competition would probably result in more efficient standards, set by the market alone, than the government is trying to enforce. It seems to me the government does not have any faith in the people anymore.

Posted by Adam Smith, Distinguished Economist

Dear America,
It is imperative that you stop this horrible abuse that corporations are imposing on your people and privatize health care. With approximately one in six adult without healthcare in your country, it is pivotal that you distribute the tax dollars to everyone in their times of need. I don’t need to tell you that these big companies can’t be trusted. There is too much corruption and abuse of the consumer for it to be even remotely considered a fair and equal system. By making everyone equal, and utilizing the fairness of the government, people without healthcare can be a thing of the past. I hope you consider my plea thoroughly.

Sincerely,
Karl Marx
(Ryan Dunlavy)

Dear America,
It is imperative that you stop this horrible abuse that corporations are imposing on your people and create government run heath care. With approximately one in six adult without healthcare in your country, it is pivotal that you distribute the tax dollars to everyone in their times of need. I don’t need to tell you that these big companies can’t be trusted. There is too much corruption and abuse of the consumer for it to be even remotely considered a fair and equal system. By making everyone equal, and utilizing the fairness of the government, people without healthcare can be a thing of the past. I hope you consider my plea thoroughly.

Sincerely,
Karl Marx
(Ryan Dunlavy)

Dear USA;

I write you this letter to try and help you get out of the impending crisis. You have hundreds of thousands of people living under the poverty line. There are many honest, hard-working people who work and work and work and never get ahead because of the class system. You need to fix this, and fast.

The solution? Communism, comrades! Communism! Everyone will work according to his ability and everyone will receive what he needs. The class structure will vanish! Those who are wealthy now will see that it is for the greater good, and those who are below the poverty line will receive the care and goods they need. Everyone will have a job, so everyone will work. Crime will go down as a result of this. Everyone will be equal, comrades, and everyone will be happy. Communism is the way to go.

Best of luck in your endeavors.

Sincerely,

Karl Marx

PS Don't ask how I was able to send this letter to you. It's classified information, you know.

Dear China,
I'm incredibly disappointed in you. Your communist government completely disregards your citizens' rights as human beings and doesn't allow them the satisfaction of working in a free market. Way to create an economy that will eventually fail and take the world down with it due to this global economization. Do you not understand that if you were to reform your government to regard the three natural laws of economics, your citizens would prosper much more as an independent nation? With your huge work force, your people would work because they wanted to and you would have extreme competition increasing the overall quality of the products! No longer would your cheap plastic Burger King toys be overlooked in today's society and it would still be able to reach all your costumers!

Ugh. China. China, China, China... I commend you on your economic success. However, I feel that you will soon find it is difficult to continue on an upward trend when your people are not content.

Adam Smith

Dear America, this is your economist Adam Smith. I have some advice that will help your country. Home mortgage companies should be allowed to fail. The government should not be allowed to step in and help these drags on the economy. The government is saving many companies, and that does not help the economy in the long term. The short term will not last. Without the government’s help, these companies would dissolve, which they should. The market should sort out on its own what companies survive and what companies fail. The companies that took on too much risk should not be bailed out. Also, the home mortgage companies that took on an acceptable amount of risk should enjoy reduced competition. I believe in purist form of capitalism where the government does not intervenes.

-Adam Smith

Dear American Government,

You guys are getting a little out of hand with corporate bailouts. I think it is a terrible idea to pick winners and losers in the free market. Because failing banks and businesses need to go into bankruptcy, liquidate bad assets, start anew and not be rewarded for bad decisions and encouraged to keep making them. More bailouts will only send America further into debt.

With much love,
Adam Smith

I cannot believe that Europe has let itself sway from true capitalism. Europe has let its unions get out of control and look at what has happened. The Spanish government is cutting worker benefits because the countries can no longer afford them, and then all of a sudden you have a giant protest. The unions need to realize that there are other needs besides their own. The unions are using their power to try and get greater and greater benefits for themselves, ones that Europe cannot afford. Unions are overstepping their purpose, to look out for the rights of their workers. Instead, now they are arguing to keep programs that are bankrupting the state. They are insensitive and getting in the way a perfect system (capitalism). Some scholars say that the unions no longer even represent the workers majority. Meaning, that people think that the union is looking out for the union instead of what is good for the average worker.

Adam Smith
Andrew Kluge

WWED- Cameron Meyer-Mueller as Karl Marx

I, Karl Marx believe that the reason for this economic crisis in the United States, is because the people dealing with it. All of these overpaid executives don’t understand the hard work it takes to be a member of the working class. If the working class rebelled and tried to solve the crisis together, this would prove to be a much better solution. The U.S. has too many big companies controlling the businesses and land. If the people had a greater say in what to do about problems, the world would have less problems to deal with. If there hadn’t been such an unequal distribution of wealth between classes, this economic emergency wouldn’t have even occurred.

I am Adam Smith and I think the United States needs to stop with all this nonsense! Why do they continue to give bail outs to all these companies? It is crazy. If the companies cannot make it themselves there is a reason. Why should the government help failing companies? That doesn't make sense. They are wasting their money and I bet some of those companies still won't be able to make it alone for much longer anyway. They need to stop messing with the economy and realize that what is going to happen will and they should stop messing with it.

10/11/10 amy krikava WWED

I believe that the government should not be bailing out big companies. Under the economic policy of the laissez faire, owners of industries and businesses should be let alone to do what they please and let what happen to them, happen without interference. The economy will only prosper if it is left to fail or thrive on its own. With help from the government, different companies and industries will become too dependent and when the economy collapses as it is doing right now, or go through a recession, they will have no where to turn. When the government bails out larger companies, it is only helping the economy short term, not long term. The laissez faire was the foundation for this countries economy, and as so the people and companies should follow it, not stray from it. I feel that it necessary for businesses to fail if that is their destiny and to let them alone if they do. It is not the government’s responsibility to help those businesses out, and frankly there are probably better uses for the huge amounts of money the government has used to bail out companies.

Sincerely Adam Smith

The economic recession in the US is a disaster of the wonderful system of capitalism. This disaster came from government interference. If the government had not bailed out the American banks and car companies (a completely socialist thing to do), the recession and crisis would have burned itself out. Instead, these companies, who exploited the capitalist ideals, have not learned their lesson, and another bank fallout is bound to happen soon. Shame on these banks and the American government!
~Adam Smith

Hey world but this is mainly directed to china since it does have the worlds largest population with more than 1.2 billion people. WHAT is wrong with you, guys you can't have that many people. Have you not learned about me and my beliefs and wisdom on this issue? China your population is increasing more rapidly than the food supply. DO YOU WANT TO DIE OR STARVATION? You guys need to engage in a war to kill off your population or maybe even spread some epidemic. It doesn't matter any way since most where destined to be poor and miserable. Didn't you learn what happened in 1840. Well anyways that's my point of view on this subject. Get your acts together.

- Your Wise Friends
Thomas Malthus
(Aziza Maktal)

I, Adam Smith, believe that the Government should not be bailing out these banks and car companies. The economic policy of the laissez faire refers to the fact that owners of businesses and industries should be left alone to do what they wish to do, and let whatever happens to their company happen, without any help and/or interference. The only way an economy can prosper is to let it succeed or fail ON ITS OWN. Bailing out these corporations only helps the economy in the short term. It is not the government's job to bail these businesses out. And right now, the money that is being used to do so, could most definitely be used for better causes. The basis for this country's economy was the laissez faire, and these businesses and corporations should follow it, not get further away from it.

-Adam Smith

(Brian Lichtor)

Adam Smith, on the current United States economic policies
At the moment, parts of the world, specifically the United States function as an economy, but they could be more efficient. If the markets were allowed to look after themselves completely, with the exception of anti-monopoly laws, less efficient businesses would not survive. This would result in a economy which is more beneficial to everyone, because those businesses which depend entirely on people buying whatever they sell means that they will need to cater to the people's wishes, and will be able to do so without government restrictions. The anti-monopoly laws would allow smaller businesses to continue to start up without being automatically beaten out of the market by large chain or superstores. Capitalism has historically been the more successful system, while true communism, when it was tried, failed spectacularly. If you need evidence of that, look to North Korea or the USSR. Both failed spectacularly as economic systems and eventually brought chaos with them. I urge you, do not allow more regulation to seep into the markets. Do not allow the United States to creep farther away from the laissez-fair capitalism, and closer to communism, which is clearly a dysfunctional system which will lead to disaster.

Dear USA,
What's wrong with you? Don't you see all of the hard-working people that are still living under the poverty line, and all of the wealthy people that do nothing all day? This is unacceptable! Those that are poor shouldn't be forced to struggle to pay for the things that they need. They should stage a rebellion and fight for equality. Just because they don't have the same funds as overpaid CEOs doesn't mean they should be treated like lesser beings. Get your act together.
From,
Karl Marx

USA,
Of course the Bourgeoisie still oppresses the Proletariat! Do you not see that your own capitalistic system is the failing in your country? The major economic crisis is because there are too many fat, bureaucratic pigs sitting in their metal thrones not thinking of the common man. They need to either spread the wealth, or we shall bring the fist of the people and spread it ourselves. You need to stop the amount of poverty and stop the rule of the fat cats who think that as long as they can keep their shiny yacht the world is fine. The world is not fine, and the only way to make it fine is to give equal communist rights to the people.
, Karl Marx

Dear America,

I, Karl Marx have the solution to all of your problems America. So many people are living below the line of poverty and it is ridiculous. There is no reason for poverty to be an issue, it is the economic system that is to blame. With countless people living with no job or house and trying to support a family it is nonsense that the government has not taken control of the issue and solved the problem. The answer is communism, obviously. By switching to communism everyone will receive exactly what he needs to live comfortably, and people should expect nothing less than that to live a descent life. Everyone will have a job, which will also solve other problems that need to be taken care of. Resulting in a better situation for everyone. The class system will disappear so everyone will be equal, and equality is a great goal to strive for, with communism it will be almost a given. Communism will be the best thing that has ever happened to the United States of America! I hope the best for everyone!

Karl Marx
(Halley)

Dear America,
The reason you have so much unemployment is because of the growth of your population! The only way to solve this problem is to stay involved in wars. As sad as it is, it creates a balance: less people, less unemployment. No matter how much you try to avoid war, the aftermath causes stability in jobs and in other problems such as hunger. With a big population comes big problems! If you keep increasing the population at the rate you are now then your economy with slowly decline and things like the unemployment rate will go up! You cannot blame the economy before you blame yourselves. Trying to stop something as inevitable as war is pointless, instead embrace the stability that comes after it. If you do not listen to my advice and act upon it, you will continue to be poor and unhappy. Hopefully you take into consideration what I have said, and I wish you the best on luck.

Thomas Malthus
P.S. Read my Essay on the Principle of Population, it talks abut everything I have said and more!

(Abigail Judge)

Dear America,
The reason you have so much unemployment is because of the growth of your population! The only way to solve this problem is to stay involved in wars (and maybe join a few more). As sad as it is, it creates a balance: less people, less unemployment. No matter how much you try to avoid war, the aftermath of a war can cause stability in jobs and in other problems such as hunger. With a big population comes big problems! If you keep increasing the population at the rate you are now then your economy will slowly decline and things like the unemployment rate will go up! You cannot blame the economy before you blame yourselves. Trying to stop something as inevitable as war is pointless, instead embrace the stability that comes after it. If you do not listen to my advice and act upon it, you will continue to be poor and unhappy. Hopefully you take into consideration what I have said, and I wish you the best on luck.

Thomas Malthus
P.S. Read my Essay on the Principle of Population, it talks abut everything I have said and more!

(Abigail Judge)

The United States,

By looking at any economic structure, it is easy to see that liberty of market guarantees economic success and progress. In today’s current economy, the government insists on intervening in several ways to encourage natural laws which sometimes help, but even then, their interference disrupts the natural growth of the economy. For one, the government uses law and regulation to protect small businesses. In doing this, the government halts on of the natural laws of economy, the law of competition. These regulations waste money by upsetting the routine rivalry of business’s; the able corporations and businesses will thrive will the inefficient will quickly be eliminated. However, in 1890, the Sherman Antitrust Act embodied my law: it restored competition by breaking up monopolies.

Sincerely,
Adam Smith
Grace Frecentese

Dear The United States of America,
Really? Capitalism? Are you trying to leave people hungry on the streets? Listen, I didn't write just to argue. I wrote to tell you what you need to change before it's too late! Sure, you may be one of the strongest world powers and capitalism worked well for a while, but blah, blah, blah. Your unemployment rate is skyrocketing and I blame capitalism. First, you need to realize that in capitalism, only big corporations survive and the small businesses tend to get crushed. Therefore, you lost a lot of possible jobs. Second, the corporations get really rich, at expense of everyone else. The workers are the ones actually working! I think they need to be in charge of the economy, not the big wigs raking up cash everywhere they go. Also, to save money, the companies don't even use local workers sometimes! Sweatshops? Really? You're practically writing your economic end! U.S, wake up and look around! Change to communism soon, or you'll regret it!

Karl Marx
P.s. I know communism has gone a little corrupt in the past, so look to the Communist Manfiesto if you have any questions.

To the working class,

Pick it up. It is your fault that your country is in a recession. It is your fault many are unemployed. All those rich business owners are keeping all the money to themselves and not giving enough people jobs. They shouldn’t have any more money, land, or benefits than you. Everyone should be equal when it comes to economics. Everyone should have the same amount of stuff. It’s just not fair any other way. People shouldn’t get paid more for bossing people around. People shouldn’t get payed for “looking for jobs.” Everyone should have a job. Everyone should do work for the good of the people. Everyone should have the same amount of money. We all know that at some point all you working class people will figure this out. When? That is the unknown, but the sooner the better.

Karl Marx
(CJ Kramer)

To the Government of the United States of America:

While I, Adam Smith, am very proud that your nation has chosen to use Capitalism, I am very disappointed with the amount of government involvement in the markets. Perhaps all of your elected officials should be required to read my book, The Wealth of Nations, (published 1776 CE). Clearly, government involvement in the markets only hampers economic growth and the accumulation of wealth by the people. The United States should switch to a free market/free trade system with no government regulation. Based on my three natural laws of economics, one can see that, in my free market system, people would work hard to improve their lives, the competition between businesses would force companies to make high quality products, and that goods would be produced at the lowest prices to meet the demands of the people. All of this would be accomplished without ANY government involvement or regulation.

In addition, keep in mind that, had the aforementioned suggestions be implemented earlier, the unemployment rate would not be so high and the American people would not have had to go throught the Great Recession; however, it is not too late to change. Please consider implementing my policies so that the American people can get back to work. Only then will America flourish and prosper once again.

Sincerely,

Professor Adam Smith
University of Glasgow
Glasgow, G12 8QQ, Scotland
+44 (0) 141 330 2000 (Extension 400)

Hello World,

I, Karl Marx, have been informed that there is a majorly increasing amount of deaths due to hunger in our world. To me, this is an issue of inequality among the people. Governments are too involved these days and are corrupting the lives of the people of this world. Instead, I suggest that the workers should take over the government until it slowly fades away. The people would then own all means of production and all goods and services would be shared equally After this, we will have equal and classless societies of people who will all be able to support themselves with food, housing, and other necessities of life. This way, there would be no wealthy and no poor, only an equal class. I truly believe, since economic forces alone dominate society, that if my suggestions are used the world will benefit greatly and that world hunger would cease to exist.

If you have any more questions, feel free to refer to 'The Communist Manifesto'.

Sincerely,
Karl Marx

Isabel McKeown

I, Charles Fourier, would like to consider myself a founder of socialist ideas. I feel that it is an effective and reliable system, which all nations should use to help solve their economic problems. Take the United States for example. Currently, wealth is not being distributed equally. There are celebrities, take Ke$ha for example, who made 4.3 million dollars in 2010 from one album alone. Then we have people living on the streets, not able to support themselves with their part time, minimum wage jobs. Why is it that a girl who uses auto-tune to correct her voice while singing lyrics of songs she didn’t even write get paid millions and millions of dollars, when there are people out there who spend every day trying to beat the odds of the 9.1% unemployment rate? I think the United States is doing a good job of having welfare available to those in need. However, I think the government should go even further, by distributing wealth according to each person’s need. Ke$ha doesn’t need 4.3 million dollars for every album she makes. Some of that money should go to the people who really need it. Doing this could help lower the percentage of people living in poverty in the U.S., which is currently 15.1%.

(Shailagh Lannon)

My name is Adam Smith, and I would like to speak on behalf of the United States' economy. I would like to commend the United States on their economic system, capitalism, which stemmed from my brilliant and enduring economic ideas. In my book, "The Wealth of Nations," I proposed the invocation of a laissez faire system. This refers to the policy of letting owners of industry freely set working conditions without the interference of the government. Unfortunately, many industries today are bailed out by the United States' government. We simply do not have enough money to help out every indebted company in the U.S, so this needs to stop. Even so, you guys are doing a great job in general with Capitalism, specifically the law of self-interest and the law of competition. With friendly competition, the quality of products for the price is very good. The battle between Microsoft and Apple, for example, has delivered incredible products that I never would have dreamed of in my time. I strongly believe the United States is on the right track. LET IT BE (laissez faire).

Alex Campanelli

N apolean Bonaparte was born in 1769.

A scended to power when he defeated the rebels who marched on the National Convention, and when he successfully battled forces of Austria and Sardinia.

P ounced on the throne in the coup d'etat or "blow to the state." Here he subjugated the three consuls and became sole dictator.

O n the year 1800, a plebiscite or vote of the people approved the new constitution.

L ycees were used. They were government-run public schools.

E levated his support from the Church and French population with the Concordat, an agreement that restored the power of the Church in France.

O rganized set of laws called the Napoleonic code. They oppressed civilians and limited freedom in reality.

N early all of Europe was under the control of the French. It rivaled the size of the Roman empire.

B lockade-a forcible closing of ports, to prevent trade and communication between great britain and other nations. It didn't go well

O rganized the Peninsular War on the Iberian peninsula vs Spain to try to get them to obey the continental system.

N eutralized by the Guerrillas. They were a band of spanish fighters who worked in small groups and obliterated the French. The French ended up losing 300,000 men.

A sense of Nationalism in European countries was a weapon to Napoleon. In the countries where he controlled, this sense of loyalty and pride to one's individual nation caused the people to turn against the french.

P ractically killed all of his troops in the invasion of Russia. Only 10,000 troops out of 420,000 remained.

A method of warfare for the Russians was the Scorched-earth policy. It involved burning grain fields and slaughtering livestock so that the invaders would have nothing to eat.

R ussia, Prussia, Britain and Sweden joined forces and banished Napoleon to Elba.

T he Hundred Days war was Napoleon's last bid for power after he returned from exile. The Waterloo, British and Prussian forces crushed him.

E nd.

Dear America:
I, Adam Smith, must say, you have made a wise decision to rule your country with the ways of capitalism, however, I'm not quite sure you have completely grasped the concept. Let me help you out a bit. First off, everyone in the United States of America will work for their own benefit. Surprising, I know, but also very true. Unfortunately, this would only happen in a free market system, one where the government is not painting the picture, but rather the portrait on which the people are painting on. In other words, government, back off. Second, stop allowing for big companies to buy out smaller companies! Competition drives companies to make high quality products. This would also decrease the prices of goods to meet the demand of the people, which was another one of my laws. So basically, let go of your tight grip on the economy America, a free market/free economy is the best for any nation. You can do it America, I believe in you.

P.S. If you still don't understand what I'm saying, take a look at my book The Wealth of Nations. That should give you a much better understanding of this concept.

Sincerely,
Adam Smith

Aniket Naravane

Dear Government of The United States of America,
I, Adam Smith, am proud that the united states uses capitalism. I do think that the government is a little too involved. Some people are thinking about having a national healthcare... that is completely ridiculous. The people who try hard deserve a better health care. It’s just that simple. I would recommend that all people living in this Capitalistic Nation read my book The Wealth of Nations to understand hows supply and demand support a stronger economic system than other types. Obviously, the government only messes up the free market. Without government involved, it allows my three natural laws of economics to prosper. People have to work hard to get a better life, Competition forces companies to make higher quality products and competitions forces companies to sell the products for a lower price to meet the people’s desire.
Sincerely
Adam Smith
(Nick Gardner)

Dear America,

I would just like to put my opinion out there on now a day healthcare. I believe we should take a more communistic route. Everyone need healthcare thats affordable even with unemployment. We should have socialistic medicine. Meaning equal healthcare for all. Employed or not rich or poor equal healthcare. Thank you for listening to my ideas.

Sincerely,

Karl Marx
(Katie Etzold)

United States of America:

This financial crisis is exactly what you've been asking for, isn't it? Capitalism has obviously done you wrong, and it's time to admit it. It is the government's responsibility to keep up the welfare of the people, and the citizens need to be the first priority. The current economic issues have proven the foolishness of your country. This will hopefully steer your tracks toward the end of greedy and selfish capitalists who haven't realized the consequences of their actions until now. Why can't the wealthy use some of their money, their money that has gone toward all the unnecessary luxuries, and help the poor? Dig yourselves out of the crisis? Because your country insists on capitalism, on protecting the peoples' rights to do such things, and criticizing them only when the economy is finally at a low such as now. I believe capitalism is always changing, and this economic failure is just one of these changes necessary to keep your country thriving...or just the opposite. Things can still go downhill, and will. All I can say to help your capitalist society is that I am in partial support of passing Obama's job plan. Finally show some government support of equality, create jobs and prevent people from losing theirs. The plan is not the best solution entirely but it's the best thing you as a capitalist government can do. Other than that, I can't help you as our views appear to be rather opposite.
Refer to The Communist Manifesto if you ever decide to change your ways entirely, and it may be the best decision your country has made in history.

Sincerely
Karl Marx.

I Adam Smith believe that the United States has done a fantastic job of using the ideas of Capitalism. So many companies big and small over the vast amounts of markets are creating competitive prices with a great quality of goods. Although I do wish that some other services of the government would become privatized. Such as the postal service, why have a postal service when private companies can do the job better. Think of Capitalism like a race, if everyone is going to get the same place anyway why would anyone even try? This is why the Untied States and the rest of the world should embrace Capitalism even more.

Sincerely,
Adam Smith

Dear America,

America, your capitalist society is constantly struggling and should be changed immediately. There are families starving and jobs are no longer plentiful. America, look at what you are doing to your own citizens. People are in constant distress to make it through each and every day. Not to mention there are fewer jobs because the large corporations thrive while the smaller businesses only last a short time, losing many jobs for people. I have a solution for you America, communism. Give the power to the people, so they can live the way that they would like to. There will be more peace and equality in the United States, and it will create more jobs. The people of America will have their own say and there will no longer be any disputes over equal rights. Communism will solve both the loss of jobs and lack of care for the people. Without my idea of communism, America will have many more struggles to come.

Sincerely,

Karl Marx

United States of America,
I, Karl Marx, am writing to you today to address a number of issues in your country that have been brought to my attention. First of all, I am extremely disappointed in your running of a capitalist society. Capitalism will only lead to the further demise of your nation. Many people today are victims of poverty, suffering from job losses, poor health, and much more and it is all due to your decisions. There are citizens everyday that lose their homes and can no longer support their families and that is unacceptable! If you all as a nation wish to have a standing chance at fixing these problems, I advise that you implement a communist society. By doing so, all goods and services would be shared equally among everyone, producers would cooperate for the good of all, and the people would own all means of production. Jobs would then be created, the gap between rich and poor would become non-existent, the malnourished and ill would be treated, and lives would be bettered in general. If you wish to save your country, communism is clearly the greatest option. Save your nation today by choosing the communist way!

For further guidance, please consult “The Communist Manifesto”.

Sincerely,
Karl Marx
-Haley Fox

Dear people of America,

I, Charles Fourier, would like to inform you that I'm not quite happy with the way you run your country. There are peopling living in the streets, starving. Children working so they could help feeding their family. Failing every test because they don't have time to study. Mother's thinking they don't have another choice but to work at a strip club to feed their children. People selling drugs so they could buy clothes to keep them warm. factories driving small artisans out of business. Do you only care about yourself? Or the newest cell phone that just came out? No? Well then, let me tell you a something that will end this madness. The economic system that I will enlighten you about is called socialism. Socialism a political and economic theory of social organization that advocates that the means of production, distribution, and exchange should be owned or regulated by the community as a whole. If you care about people other than yourself I highly advise you guys to try this beautiful proposal.

Sincerely,

Charles Fourier
(Sagal Khalif)

-Adam Smith- Mark Miller

I would just like to say, you're on the way United States. With competition such as Sony vs. Microsoft, you will make bank. However, if you want to maximize your money, you need to have the government step back. The governments' efforts to "help", are hurting your country. If the government just lets the company owners make the discussions about working space, and hours, and pay, then the economy will flourish. The whole government issue aside, you are doing a good job with the capitalistic part. The competition between companies like Sony and Microsoft, will force them to make the best product to get consumers. Tell the government to step back...

-Adam Smith

To the people of the United States of America:

I am writing to you to express my genuine concern over the current economic status of your country. Unemployment and poverty levels have increased alarmingly in the past few years, and it is evident that radical change is needed to combat your appallingly chaotic and disorderly society. I suggest you consider organizing yourselves through my carefully devised system of phalanxes, which would help you move towards eradicating poverty by providing all humans with decent jobs and sufficient wages. This system would help Americans strive for an equitable, harmonious society in line with utopian socialism. Ideals of cooperation and collaboration will lead to greatness! Refer to my extensive writings for more advice.

Sincerely,

Charles Fourier

P. S. Many of you may be skeptical that such a utopian, organized society is possible. However, I have confidence in this and my other beliefs, some of which appear to be on their way to becoming reality. For instance, I predicted that the North Pole would someday have a warmer climate than the Mediterranean years before your modern scientists coined the term “global warming.” I also predicted that the oceans would lose their salinity and turn to lemonade. Skeptics may doubt this, but I still stand by my ideas with high hopes.