What free market system?

Above I wrote “I mostly agree�, because I disagree with Ed when he writes this:

the government shouldn’t use tax money to subsidize private enterprise, unless the government owns a stake in the enterprise itself

The government shouldn’t own a stake in any enterprise. The government should – at most – regulate (the market), it should not participate.

I would say in situations where it is infesable to have a true free market, say in public utilities such as water which require large infranstructures, it is perfectly OK if the government wants to own the business outright. It think that regardless of weither it is pirvately or publicly owned, monopolies will generally be very inefficent without massive public oversight, so that your damned if you do and damned if you don’t. Note that doesn’t mean I think it is best if the gov bought up all the reigonal utility companies, but just that I wouldn’t object if they did.

I am fully with my Boshevik Comrade Rudi on this score: corporate welfare is an abomination.

It is bad enough when auto companies do this, forcing different jurisdictions to compete with subsidies for new plant locations. But the Mall is already there, and they are trying to extort money from government for an addition.

If this is approved, I would suspect dark doings behind the scenes. The Mall of America can’t exactly pack up and move to Florida. If they want to make more money, they can fund the expansion themselves.

Adam Smith would be rolling over in his grave. Corporate welfare bums!!!