The cockroach theory and a silver lining.(Letter to the editor)

The present fuss about the government-approved company bonuses of the bailout company officials and the campaign donations to the politicians reminds me of the cockroach theory: "Politicians and bureaucrats in some ways resemble cockroaches--it is not what they steal and carry off that hurts so much--it is what they fall into and mess up!"

This mess may have a silver lining if the lesson learned by the public is to be able to distinguish between capitalism and socialism. Under capitalism, people and companies make money by providing better goods or services to their customers. This is the essence of the free market. Government lobbying is only to protect against unjust laws or unreasonable taxation--never to plunder the taxpayer or oppress the competition. Under ...