Quote from: BobK71 on June 20, 2016, 08:59:38 PM

Quote from: Karolus on June 20, 2016, 06:05:39 PM

Quote from: BobK71 on June 20, 2016, 01:50:42 PM

Quote from: Karolus on June 19, 2016, 03:45:04 AM

The problem with a lot of critics is they don't understand republics. Republics are messy. It's been that way since the ancient Roman republic. Republics have a bunch of decision-makers responding to different interests. That's messy.

The above quote regards this messyness as "distortions." Distortions from what? Distortions from how an utopian society would be if one genius were in charge of defining a free market? Do we need someone to decide the proper amount of florists and sales clerks, and the appropriate set of skills for society? No thanks.

A free market is whatever a republic decides it is, even it's messy.

It's hard to respond to the above. I characterized today's world as being distorted by elite manipulation of markets that pushed the economy on a path totally different from the free-market path.

You argue that the truly free-market path is politically impossible -- I can respect that (though I have different thoughts about it.) On the other hand, you imply that I want the state to control the economy even worse than it is controlled today. I want no such thing. Plus, this seems to contradict your own other point.

I can't respond properly to an improperly formulated set of arguments.

Your word salad is much more confusing than anything I said. Let me make my point super simple for you.

The gist of your argument is that there is currently no free market, right? I responded to that by saying:

Quote from: Karolus on June 19, 2016, 03:45:04 AM

A free market is whatever a republic decides it is, even it's messy.

Is that so confusing? Apparently you're confused, because then you say:

Quote from: BobK71 on June 20, 2016, 01:50:42 PM

You argue that the truly free-market path is politically impossible...

But I never said that. Are you drinking? Let's roll the videotape again to see what I said:

Quote from: Karolus on June 19, 2016, 03:45:04 AM

A free market is whatever a republic decides it is, even it's messy.

Do you see how you misquoted me? A free market is not only politically possible, it's a byproduct of a republic. But you seem to define a free market differently. Maybe you think a free market is whatever Wikipedia says it is, or whatever Zero Hedge says it is.

It seems our major difference is the definition of 'free market.' I still like mine better as it's truly 'free!' 'Crony capitalism' might be a better term to describe your condition.

I'll take crony capitalism. I don't advocate limitless cronyism. But I also don't trust utopian theories. Crony capitalism is what happens when there is freedom of association. There will always be people associating for profit.

But the more modern Western republics do a decent job of encouraging competition and restraining anti-competitive practices. Again, it's a messy market. But it's very functional for the overwhelming majority of people.