If one desired to contrast the nature of an economic system grounded in liberty with the corporate-state neo-mercantilist racket extant in modern America, he or she could do no better than turn to television: on the news channels, reports are offered as to the de facto bankruptcies of major auto manufacturers. One could then turn to HBO and see the wonderful film, “Tucker,” showing the politically-induced tribulations of Preston Tucker. An entrepreneur who sought to enter the auto manufacturing industry with some fundamentally new product ideas, Tucker was prosecuted and driven to bankruptcy as industrial and political interests successfully conspired – yes, Virginia, there are conspiracies! – to crush him. The consequences of such practices are now playing out in the District of Corruption, as firms unwilling to have to respond to Tucker’s competition now rattle their tin-cups for taxpayer-funded bailouts.
Were I still teaching a course on “government and business,” the first class would be taken up with a showing of the film “Tucker.”
