Common Sense (in Portugal)

Interesting, but completely meaningless. It defies human nature which is obtaining the greatest individual benefit for the least expenditure.

Ergo socialism. And federalism in all its iterations is a big stick enforcing the people's right to force the most productive to support the least productive. After all, we are all in this together. Who better to make the big decisions than those who enforce mandatory reporting of every aspect of everything? Members of EU, members of whatever coalition/party, members of the community, members of the herd. Membership has its rewards.

Politicians get elected by purchasing votes with monies extorted from the productive sector. These monies are used for social programs.

So the good Professor wrote a book and the vast majority that purchase it are those among the productive sector, it means nothing. The only way the single digit percentage that comprises the productive sector will win* is by quitting. Turn the lights out, lock the door and retire. The government is gonna steal your business anyway.

*win: 1. to lose the least, 2. to retain some assets, 3. to not be in the building when the socialist mob sets fire to it.

Count up the number of countries that have already left the EU. Do you suppose that might be an indicator of future withdrawals?

Never feed wild animals. It habituates them to hand-outs. Sooner or later they always attack to get what they consider their entitlement. Small animals are scavengers. They want the biggest and baddest to chase away the rightful owners so the little scavengers can feed on the ill-gotten gain that is left.

First, last and always. Bet on human nature. Humans almost always revert to their animal instincts. They follow the herd and enjoy their anonymity within it. The good Professor has decided to go it alone outside the herd. I truly hope it works out for him. But leave the EU zone? Not Bloody Likely.

How does the good Professor suggest Portugal can increase productivity while containing costs? Without a credible plan, it is just coffee talk for the so-called intelligentsia. But I don't begrudge the good Professor a bit of potential income for the notoriety he has gained by writing this tome. His country really needs the tax revenue to pay for the massive debts his friends, neighbors and countrymen demanded to be socialized.

The only mechanism proven to increase productivity is individual responsibility with concurrent respect for private property rights. Socialism, communism or communitarianism has never endured time. Democracy can only endure if everyone practices individual responsibility and respects private property. The only example I could find of a fully functioning democracy was Switzerland and it is questionable at best.

I'm a bit curious. Did you read the tract in its original Portuguese, some machine translation or take someone else's opinion?
Wow, a whole column on this non-event. Even more interesting, my lengthy response to it.