In my book it means you are a beter perfesser than Paul Krugman, and I do not mean that to be a thinly-veiled insult. You also have more on the ball than Tim Geithner, Hank Paulsen, John Snow, and Bill Miller. And John Corzine! Keep up the good work.

I know what you refer to when you speak of the material world, and property, which is anathema to people who wish to have the property of others without having to work for it. But Materialism is not for people owning material or its proxy, money. Rather, Materialism traces its roots to Hegel.

It’s been a while since I picked up Copleston’s History of Philosophy, and I know I should give myself a refresher course. With Hegel, I was always at a disadvantage not being fluent in German philosophical speak, but I never had any reason to believe that it would be less penetrable if I had learned it.

I prefer to read Bastiat, whom you have published on your excellent blog, and who speaks more clearly, and to your point.

What I’m wondering is: If we don’t create the conditions for prosperity — a free land of opportunity — how are we to expect to do anything charitable? I’d like you to ask your students that question.