Beech Tree News Network

Writer, and common-sense philosopher, Eric Hoffer, said, “Societies are likely to function tolerable well when least interfered with by government.”  President Ronald Reagan said essentially the same thing: “A government that governs least governs best.”
Regarding free trade, governments don’t get that shook-up when two good ole boys out here swap pocket knives, or shoat-pigs, with no “boot” involved.  But what they get upset about is the boot; they want a piece of it.
Since the beginning of time the trader has been one of the chief agents in the emergence of individual freedom.  As a general rule, governments as a whole don’t like self-assertion.  They tend to view free trade as self-assertion, or even as a subversive activity. Oh, they’ll talk about the “home of the free and brave,” but too much individual freedom make governments nervous.
We see in history that in China the free trader could assert himself only during the breakdown of the government bureaucracy toward the end of the Chou dynasty.  It galls controlling governments when they can’t get their grimy fingers into the pie.
Here is an example, even at the lowest level: I once overheard two local government officials talking---one local, and one state.  The local was saying to the state, “Those people out there may be burning insulation off of scrap electric wiring and selling the copper.  We need to see if we can’t find something to charge them with.” How’s that for free trade---or freedom itself?
You’ve heard me tell this before, but I want to tell it again---shout it loud and strong.  A garage operator friend of mine was made by the government to purchase a Freon recovery system for auto air conditioners… the cost between $400 to $500 even some years back.  Then the state government (our government) turned around and made him pay a “usage tax” on it each month, grimy fingers.
Growing up, I guess Jockey day was the best example of free trade I first remember.  I didn’t know to call it that then.  But in retrospect that’s what it was.  County Court Day, the first Monday in every month… down on Jockey grounds at the edge of town.  People from far and wide bought, sold, and swapped about anything you could think of … from livestock to guns, to salves to potions for whatever ailed.  I particularly remember one guy carrying around a quart fruit jar full of corns and bunions.  Yeah, he sold a bunion remover.  He did keep a top on the jar.  That was good.  A blind man was always there playing a beautiful Martin guitar.  It’s sound was like that of an angel harp.  A ventriloquist with his “friend” Jerry was a regular.  Jerry wore a leather aviator cap with goggles, and wisecracked a good bit…NO LICENSES, NO FEES, NO GOVERNMENT REGULATIONS…NO GRIMY FINGERS.  Just free trade…JOCKEY.
No doubt we had cream skimmers among the ancient cave dwellers…the hunters and gathers.  There were bound to have been those among them who didn’t want to get out and get briar stuck or bush whipped, bringing in meat, hides, and Taradacktal eggs, or fish…whatever.  So, The first ones to govern and steal were the crooks who said, “You guys bring all your bounty back here to the cave.  We’ll stay here (where it’s warm) and guard the cave, keep up with, and supervise the produce you bring in…after all, inventories and pencil pushing (and cream skimming) is difficult.  Can’t everyone do it.  And here’s the good part, “We’ll only charge you say, 60 to 75 percent of the gather.  We want what’s best for you.  But we need to tell you what that is.” Democracy has No auto-pilot.  But you knew that. 
“Sail on O ship of state.”
Kindest regards….