Nice Letter

How B Became A Free Market Supporter

M, B’s daughter, is thinking of enrolling at Loyola New Orleans, to study with me and my free enterprise colleagues (hint, hint, you won’t get a better Austro-libertarian education at any other institution). I asked B how he first came to this viewpoint. Here is his answer:

—–Original Message—–
From: B
Sent: Saturday, April 29, 2017 4:37 PM
To: Walter Block
Cc: M
Subject: Re: Summer Economics

Hi, Prof. Block, For me, the answer is simple: the 2008 crisis. I always had libertarian leanings and was an unabashed capitalist (albeit a neocon goon), but I realized in 2008 that something was seriously amiss, and I did not understand what was happening. I read a lot, mostly online, and found you, Murray Rothbard, Ron Paul, LVM, Peter Schiff. (By coincidence, a number of us are Columbia alums; needless to say, I give Columbia none of my money.) In particular, I read one piece by Rothbard (don’t remember which, probably one dealing with the Fed) which presaged by 25 years or so the 2008 crisis EXACTLY and I realized that I had stumbled upon something which answered my questions with laser clarity.

I wrote to you 8 or 9 years ago when you were dealing with the Loyola Maryland controversy. You suggested that I direct my support for you by contributing to the Mises Institute, which I did. I have never looked back. I am very proud of my daughter for many reasons, but I am most proud that she understands the basic beneficence of the free market. You and Ron Paul are today’s acolytes of peace, prosperity and freedom. I can think of no one better for her to study with than you. B

Here was my response to B: Thanks. This letter made my day. It is an honor to be mentioned in the same sentence as Ron Paul. I do indeed hope that M enrolls at Loyola next year. I have a daughter of my own, a bit older than yours, but I know what it means to entrust a baby girl to a university.

I then wrote to M as follows: I hope and trust I didn’t insult you by in effect calling you a “baby.” My daughter is 36, and I still consider her my baby girl. I think all loving fathers think of their daughters like that. Happily, she wrote back to me saying she took no offense at my remark.

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5:46 pm on April 29, 2017