What started out as a conversation between two adults (one younger than the other, of course) ended up with me being kicked out of his office. For the first time in perhaps ever, I have been kicked from a teachers office.

What started the conversation along the lines of economics was his question of why I did not speak my mind during class, and that his grading up ‘curve’ applies only to those who participate in class. I told him that I prefered to stay away from class dicussions as my political idealogy and economic beliefs might upset some people.

He then asked what I would do about the current financial crisis.

This is perhaps when I should have said nothing, but I continued to try to give a defense over pure capitalism, and unrestrained banks and trade. His first comment, a put down, was that I he wasn’t sure where I was getting my ‘backward’ ideas regarding laissez faire; that system ‘failed’ in 1890. I told him that I politely disagreed with him. He began laughing and saying that I was full of misguided, ‘backward’, and silly ideas. I assumed that he was following neoclassical idealogy and asked him about it. He didn’t know what that was; he again asked me what strange types of economic reasoning that I was getting my misguided information from. (The Economist magazine?)

He said that the only real economics was Keynesianism, as it explained everything. I told him that I disagreed, because of the faulty theory inherent in this economic policy. He became even more agitated and told me that I was now insulting him. I apologized and told him that this was not my intention.

He then told me that his colleagues all agreed with him. I hesitated, and then told him that I would argue my case with them as well. He started laughing and then told me that I was now insulting his colleagues. I sat in silence. He then asked me how many of ‘them’ I had (pointing to the sheep skin’s on the wall). I told him none. He said, ‘Exactly. You don’t have *any* of those. This conversation is now over, I am eating, now please get out of my office.’ (Argument from Authority; a logical fallacy).

None of what I have said is made up, nor is it embellished in any way. I will be writing to my professor to recap exactly what has happened in order for it to be on record. I would like to get a recommendation so that I may get into an honors program, but I am not sure that I will receive it from him.

I would like to say that I am surprised, but I am really not. Nor do I feel bad; it is difficult to feel bad when arguing about human liberty. It is also difficult to feel bad when someone says that they praise diversity of thought, and then does not honor their idealism.

I don’t feel upset, but I feel defeated. It reminds me of the scene in Lord of the Rings, when orcs are breaking down the door to the castle chamber. One of the characters feels he can no longer fight. Another questions why; he responds ‘what can men do against such barbarians?’.

Enter ‘college’.

[You were not only the adult in this unpleasant, unethical interaction; you were the gentleman and the true teacher. I feel for you greatly.–IM]

Overcrowding negates the natural instincts and talents of both turkeys and humans. One thing that turkey handlers know is how to stampede the flock so as to get the birds themselves to run toward the abbatoir. Looking at the “financial meltdown,” I see that the human handlers have similar knowledge. For the moment, we seem to have resisted their tricks. But how long until we succumb to their wiles and stampede in the desired direction?

The only thing that makes me hesistate is the amount of ruckus that could go down.

Then again… true liberals are known for being troublemakers.

Hmm…

[They are two sides of the same coin. The bailout has aspects of both. This is why both Democrats and neoconservative like it, but the hard right rejects it. Interesting point.–IM]

The Mystery of Banking by Murray N. Rothbard will make clear to you the criminal roots of fractional reserve banking and the devastation (via boom-bust cycles and inflation) it wrecks on society.

It is available for free from mises.org or as a newly released 2nd edition hardbound from that same site. This book is a classic!

[See Updated Post.–IM]

You must be kidding. What if you cut your hand on his teeth? You may snip this Ilana, I could not resist.