Mosley started this show with a discussion of an ARI press release, Poor Countries Don’t Need Climate Change Welfare, They Need Capitalism. It is sad that such a thing must be said, but it must be said. In spite of all of the immediate needs that people are facing, such as starvation and lack of drinkable water, some feel that it’s best for industrialized nations to create a sort of insurance fund for poor nations and the potential (uncertain) dangers of climate change. This act of altruism is actually contrary to what these nations need. They need to focus on self-interest and producing wealth. They need capitalism.
This discussion sparked a further elaboration of the dangers of environmentalism. Mosley revisited an article about Rachel Carson’s Genocide. Here’s a quote:
“The crusade against DDT began with Carson’s antipesticide diatribe “Silent Spring,” published in 1962 at the height of the worldwide antimalaria campaign. The widespread spraying of DDT had caused a spectacular drop in malaria incidence–Sri Lanka, for example, reported 2.8 million malaria victims in 1948, but by 1963 it had only 17. Yet Carson’s book made no mention of this. It said nothing of DDT’s crucial role in eradicating malaria in industrialized countries, or of the tens of millions of lives saved by its use.”
Listen to the show for more commentary.
In anticipation of Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Sunday’s show focused on the significance of the holiday. Mosley discussed the prevalence of racism today and a relevant op-ed from ARI. The quote below capsulizes the topic.
“Achievement of a truly color-blind society will require not only that private individuals reject racism but that government policies and programs cease to favor some citizens over others on the basis of skin color,†Bowden said. “The solution to racism in government does not lie in further race-conscious, affirmative action programs that generate de facto quotas, nor in multicultural education that locates personal identity in one’s ethnic group. Because such policies are themselves racist, they are part of the problem.
For this show, Mosley and Arthur have a discussion based on the ARI op-ed, To Save Lives, Legalize Trade in Organs. It is only a paragraph long, so I have posted it below.
“Thousands of individuals waiting for transplants have died through the years because the law forbids the sale of human organs. To significantly increase the availability of organs, this murderous law must be scrapped and the trade in organs decriminalised. If the law acknowledges our right to give away an organ, it should also acknowledge our right to sell an organ. And if the law recognises our right to pay for a life-saving medical treatment, it should also recognise our right to pay for a life-saving organ for transplant. Individuals able to pay for organs would benefit at no one’s expense but their own. Those unable to pay would still be able to rely on charity.”
The right to life means both the right to the mind and body, organs and all. People are dying every day from not having the healthy organs that they need. Creating an incentive, by allowing trade, can save these lives. So what is holding us back? Listen to the show for more details about how this could work.
The topic of show 042 was universal health-care. Mosley discusses how government health-care is wrong and the only moral health-care system is that which can be provided by the free-market. There was also a caller from Canada, where universal health-care is in effect, who is in favor of the system. It makes for an interesting discussion.
Here is the link to the essay that was mentioned on the show. And, coincidentally, Yaron Brook, the President of the Ayn Rand Institute, wrote an excellent essay about health-care just yesterday.
“You are free to see a doctor and pay him for his services–no one may forcibly prevent you from doing so. But you do not have a “right” to force the doctor to treat you without charge or to force others to pay for your treatment. The rights of some cannot require the coercion and sacrifice of others.”
What do you think? Feel free to comment.
On Show 041, Mosley and Arthur discuss the significance of New Year’s resolutions. They determined that setting goals are not only important, but essential to living a happy life. And while special occasions, such as a new year, may serve as a time to set these goals, it’s best to live a goal-directed lifestyle.
Here are a few tips to help you make good goals and keep them:
- Set Reasonable Goals: If you set impossible goals, you’re setting yourself up for failure. Make reasonable goals that will help improve your life.
- Make an Action Plan: Goals like “lose weight” by themselves are too abstract and can be hard to put into practice. Keep in mind what will be necessary to achieve this goal. Maybe write out an action plan. One could say, “I will exercise daily and eat healthier,” in order to keep on track.
- Don’t Give Up: Everyone will face obstacles, but don’t give up. When necessary, change your action plan or perhaps alter your goal.
And, as promised, here is the article discussed on the show, by Alex Epstein of ARI. And here is the website for Getting Things Done.
We hope you have a goal-driven, productive, and happy new year!!
