How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the New York Yankees
Posted by Josh Ellis in Sports, capitalism on October 22, 2009
I hate(d) the Yankees, beginning with their corners, Mark Teixeira and Alex Rodriguez, two self absorbed cancers, linked by a common agent, Scott Boras, and committed only to him and their bank accounts. My hatred doesn’t stop there. This is an organization that has won 26 World Series, put over 30 players into the Baseball Hall of Fame, and has millions of fans worldwide. Of course, there’s also my beloved Texas Rangers and their three first round playoff losses–their only playoff appearances–to the Yankees.
Over the past few seasons, I’ve enjoyed watching the Yankees’ post-season futility, but realize that the streak is probably about to end. The Yankees currently hold a 3-2 game lead in the American League Championship Series (ALCS) and need only one win to advance to the World Series. I thought about boycotting the World Series entirely if the Yankees advance, but then I had an epiphany. I hated the Yankees for the same reason so many people hate the Dallas Cowboys–success. The New York Yankees franchise is the best franchise in their business. Instead of hating the Yankees, I should be in love with the Yankees. Indeed, the Yankees are free market capitalism at its best.
At a time when capitalism faces daily attacks from the Federal government, the media, the entertainment industry and disillusioned Millennials across the nation, the Yankees stand as a monument to the beauty of capitalism. Compared to other leagues, Major League Baseball is very loosely regulated. No salary cap and a very weak revenue sharing policy, allow owners to spend as much money as they want to improve their product–their team. The system engenders a sense of personal responsibility among owners, rewarding the franchises willing to spend and the franchises with the best front offices and punishing those with frugal owners or those who make bad business decisions.
Throughout his career, George Steinbrenner has experienced success. He’s made a ton of money, a lot of sound investments and has spent that money wisely to add to the Yankee legacy. The Yankees spend almost $60 million more on payroll than any other team in the Majors. Alex Rodriguez’s salary alone is more than the entire payroll for the Pittsburgh Pirates. Every year, the Yankees go out, find the best talent and offer that talent more money than anyone else. Every year, the Yankees field one of the most competitive teams in the League. Their success generates more revenue, which the front office uses to improve their product/team. This is capitalism in its purest form.
Other teams complain about the unfair advantages caused by the discrepancies in capital between the Yankees and the rest of the league, just as other nations complain about the “unfair advantages” the American economy created during the 20th Century. Instead of complaining, these teams should learn from the Yankees, take their capital and create greatness. The system rewards hard work and creativity.
Is Chicago the new Texas?
Posted by Josh Ellis in Barack Obama, free markets, socialism on October 6, 2009
For eight years, Texas suffered a virulent public relations attack as the world began to associate my home state with the policies of then President George W. Bush. Fueled by intellectual elitists, Hollywood lunatics and delusional rock stars, Texas took on the personality of the Bush administration and Texans became its gun toting, Bible waving lackeys in the eyes of the world. As I watched the reaction of the conservative media to the IOC’s snub of Chicago for the 2016 Olympics, I couldn’t help but to think that Chicago is the new Texas.
Indeed, many on the right, including myself, view Chicago as a failed Left wing experiment. Since Barack Hussein Obama took the oath of office, Chicago has been the epicenter of American political thought. The problems plaguing Chicago can be directly traced to the so-called “progressive politics” of socialists like Saul Alinsky, failed ideas and policies that continue to shape the city to this day.
Obama continues to surround himself with people from this political machine and this nation has begun to associate Chicago with these failed policies and un-American thought. Instead of picturing the “Super Fans” eating sausage, drinking beer and waxing eloquently about “da Bears,” Americans know view Chicagoans as helpless, mindless, “useful idiots” leading our nation down the road to eventual socialism.
To the freedom loving American who remain in Chicago, I feel your pain. I did not vote for George W. Bush, yet because I am a Texan I was associated with him. Barring any ACORN led voter fraud, Obama will be a one term President and your city can move past this dark chapter in its history.
The way health care ought to be…
Posted by Josh Ellis in Fascism, capitalism, free markets, health care, socialism on September 16, 2009
I grew up in rural East Texas, in a town where literally everyone knew your name. I couldn’t wait to get out of there and I’m glad to live in the city now, but there are several aspects of that small town lifestyle that I miss, especially my doctor. The small medical clinic in town provided health care for three generations of my family. There was no need to take medical histories, the same doctors that treated me had treated my grandparents, parents, aunts, uncles and cousins. There was no need to waste a lot of time filing out paperwork, as soon as you walked in the door the office staff pulled your file and you were on your way to being treated.
Once you got inside the examination room, the doctor came by, inquired about the problem and made a diagnosis. Again, there was no need to check any guidelines or recommend any superfluous tests, the doctor made a diagnosis based on the empirical evidence in front of him. Before you left, the doctor asked about your family and eased any concerns you may have about your visit.
I didn’t realize how unique this situation was until I visited the doctor for the first time in Dallas.
True story, two years ago I was trying to flush the toilet and broke the plastic handle. The sharp edges sliced my thumb wide open and since it was a Friday evening I decided to go to an urgent care center. I gave the office staff my insurance information. They informed me that since my carrier was closed for the evening I would be responsible for the entire cost of my visit and they would file claim on my behalf later.
An hour later, I was led back to the examination room. A physician assistant examined my wound, gave me a shot and stitched me up. It wasn’t until I got ready to check out that I experienced the most painful moment of the evening. For an examination by a physicians assistant, some stitches and a tetanus shot, I owed the urgent facility well over $500, out of pocket. I knew that I would get reimburshed for a majority of the cost, but I was still appalled that I had to pay the same price to see P.A. that I would to see a M.D.
So what does this have to do with the current health care problem and what can we learn about the health care I received in my small town?
In my hometown, I was more than just a patient. I had an established relationship with my health care providers, something non-existent in the heavily regulated world of urban medicine. I can only imagine how impersonal health care would be if the Federal government had even more control over it. The bills presented by the Democrats in Congress begin with the premise “one size fits all.” Let me tell you, one size never fits all.
What about costs? Obama’s people will tell you that health care costs are outrageous and even I just shared how I get ripped off by an urgent care facility, thankfully I have insurance–crappy insurance, but insurance all the same. When you have a personal relationship with health care provider, money becomes a secondary factor to your care. The clinic that housed my health care providers was very flexible with payments. If you happened to be struggling a bit financially, no worries, pay what you can and take care of the rest later. You knew you would run into your doctor at the grocery store, at church or the local high school football game, so your doctor knew you outside of his or her practice and trusted you would pay off any debt when your situation improved.
In short,you and your health care provider figured out what you could pay and how you could pay for it. Again, if and when the Federal government seizes control of the health care industry, they will attempt to destroy this personal relationship with health care providers.
I don’t expect everyone to be able to find health care like I’ve been blessed to have. However, I do think my story illustrates that the health care industry is not as out of control as those on the Left will have you believe. There is very little regulation, in fact many of the health care providers in my hometown violate many of the Federal regulations in place, and the health care I received there is far superior to anything I have received since living in Dallas. If anything, I think it proves that less regulation can lead to a better relationship between patient and health care provider, which in turn will lead to better treatment.
Obama and the Giant Schoolhouse!
Posted by Josh Ellis in Barack Obama, Fascism, Marxism, Obama schoold speech, socialism on September 3, 2009
As a fourth grader, the Congressman for our local district visited my school to deliver a speech at an assembly. My parents had feverishly supported the man’s opponent in a recent election and I had spent the previous year attending various political rallies and campaign events where the Congressman was presented as one of the last of the famous “Southern Democrats” (e.g. George Wallace, Orval Faubus, etc.)–a sworn enemy of Ronald Reagan, a man fueled by power, greed and general contempt for everything American.
The school bussed the entire fourth and fifth grade to the district’s football stadium and several school administrators prepared the audience for the Congressman’s speech, speaking of the man’s legislative accomplishments and singing his praises. Even as a fourth grader, I realized the dangers of a captive audience and felt there was something creepy about the way we were being forced to respect and admire someone who I so vehemently despised.
As the Congressman stepped behind the podium, I rose to my feet and began chanting, “Bull shit! Bull shit! Bull shit!” at the top of my lungs. The other students began to chuckle, some even joined in my chant, while the administrators paused in stunned silence. Eventually, a teacher came to escort me to one of the buses, but I could still hear the Congressman stumble through his speech. I like to think that my outburst distracted him at least a little.
As I read the stories regarding Barack Obama’s planned address to our nation’s school children, I can’t help but to reflect on this incident from childhood. Perhaps, instead of holding their kids out of class Tuesday, parents should encourage their children to cause similar distractions. I’m not encouraging the use of profanity, but what would happen if one kid stood up during the speech and started to sing “Alice’s Restaurant” or started to chant “Just Say No to Barry O!”
Like Whitney, I believe the children are our future. Elected officials, regardless of their political affiliation, have no business meddling with our nation’s youth. Parents parent best and Obama attempting to address the nation’s youth sends the wrong type of political message. It’s not the type of move a Party who wants to distance themselves from the National Socialist Party of Germany would want to make. Yet the bravado of the White House brass knows no limits.
Another thing the Obama administration seems to ignore is the relevancy factor. Half of this nation does not support Obama and will ignored anything he says.
In their hit single, “Everything’s Gonna Be Alright.” Naughty by Nature made the following observation: “If you ain’t ever been to the ghetto, don’t ever come to the ghetto, cause you ain’t gonna understand the ghetto. So stay the fuck out of the ghetto.” In this example, the “ghetto” refers to life outside the world of Ivy League elitists Obama comes from. How can Obama understand the kid in rural Texas, the kid on the Mississippi Delta, the kid in inner city Detroit or the kid in Appalachia ? Yet he wants to try and pretend that he knows why these kids may struggle in school and be tempted to drop out?
Hopefully, somewhere out there, there is a little rebel like me just waiting to speak his mind.
Curt Schilling to run for Ted Kennedy’s vacated Senate seat?
Posted by Josh Ellis in 2010 Mid Term Elections, Barack Obama, Endorsements, Massachusetts special election, capitalism on September 2, 2009
MSNBC reports that former Major League great, Curt Schilling, most notably of Red Sox fame, is considering a run for the Senate seat vacated by the late Ted Kennedy.
I’m not in the habit of endorsing anything or anybody from the East Coast, but I think this could be a genius move for the GOP. The only way a Republican could possibly stand a chance to win a Senate seat in Massachusetts is to have won a World Series for their beloved Red Sox. What Red Sox fan (or baseball fan for that matter) will ever forget the “bloody sock” and the balls-to-the-wall effort displayed by Schilling in the 2004 playoffs?
A win in Massachusetts would be a huge boost to the GOP heading into the 2010 election cycle and send a serious message to the Obama administration that the days of Democratic free rule and attacks on free market capitalism are nearing an end.
We at CapitalistHipster.Com urge Curt Schilling to run for the vacated seat and give him our early endorsement.
Why I Love Whole Foods!
Posted by Josh Ellis in capitalism, free markets, health care on September 1, 2009
Nestled somewhere in between the Butthole Surfers and “I’m A Ding Dong Daddy (From Dumas)”, Whole Foods ranks in my top 20 favorite things to come out of Texas. I love Whole Foods. Their meat, their produce, their wine and even the expertise of those who work there combine to form a truly awesome grocery store experience. They pride themselves on offering locally grown and raised, organic products, earning them a warm place in the hearts of “progressive” yuppies from sea to shining sea. Indeed, the mere mention of Whole Foods conjures up images of vegans and vagabonds, Dead heads and pot heads, the desperate housewives of the Park Cities and aimless waifs, milling around under one roof.
Personally, I love the eclectic mix of people as much as the food, but I realize that most of them would want to feed me hemlock if they knew my zeal for free-markets, my general antipathy for the “green movement,” and my unwavering love of Ronald Wilson Reagan. Imagine my surprise when I learned that Whole Foods co-founder and CEO, John Mackey, penned a piece for the Wall Street Journal recently, blasting the proposed health care legislation.
Mackey uses examples from the health care plan offered by Whole Foods to provide a template for reforming health care in our country, without attacking free markets or pissing on the Constitution. Needless to say, this column has created a stir among the Whole Foods community, with many of the more extreme Lefties organizing boycotts and protests of Whole Foods stores.
Personally, I always felt guilty shopping at Whole Foods. I felt someday I would be running for office, the question would come up, “are you know or have you ever been associated with the communist party,” and grainy surveillance cameras still images would surface showing me shopping at Whole Foods. After reading Mackey’s editorial, I feel safe coming out of the closet and shopping at Whole Foods in the open. I invite all of free-market friends to join me in supporting Mackey by shopping at Whole Foods more often.
Meat is murder, but death panels are ok?
Free Markets and Capitalism – Part 1
Posted by Josh Ellis in Barack Obama, Marxism, capitalism, free markets, socialism on September 1, 2009
Let’s begin with a short primer on free markets and capitalism.
I find it funny when people attack capitalism and free markets, treating them as the “enemy” of freedom and liberty. Barack Obama has made this way of thinking chic again, when the opposite is actually true—capitalism and the free markets are the guarantors of freedom and liberty. Sure, as a young, idealistic college student, it’s fun to think like Mr. Obama, but once you graduate certain realities should start to take shape.
It’s the free market economic system that allows you the very freedom to sit around and even consider whether or not some third world factory worker is exploited or not. Likewise, it’s the free market system that created and maintains the “middle class” Lefitsts talk so much about (but do so little for). If it weren’t for our free market economic system, you would be farming your own food, raising your own animals, sewing your own clothes and would have very little leisure time to sit around and think.
It’s our free market economic system, which some think exploits our citizens and other countries, that has paved the way for the ambition and innovation that has allowed for the technological innovations that allow you to write blogs, join social networking sites, write and send e-mails.
It’s our free market economic system, which some think exploits our citizens and other countries, that transformed our nation (and world to a certain extent) from a collection of isolated communities into a vast global network, where we are aware of the condition of those outside our own communities. Do you think Cubans are very aware of those outside of Cuba? Does the average Cuban have the luxury of sitting around, thinking about the condition of people in Darfur?
It’s our free market economic system, which some think exploits other countries, that, believe it or not, raises the per capita earnings of residents in Third World countries. Sure, a person working in a sweat shop in Vietnam makes a terrible wage compared to Americans, but compared to other people in Vietnam, they make a better than average wage.