Remembering a Hero: Milton Friedman

http://www.townhall.com/columnists/AndrewPMcIndoe/2008/07/31/remembering_a_hero_milton_friedman

As freedom-oriented organizations across the country like Young America's Foundation today mark "Milton Friedman Day" with events and celebration, I am reminded of the lessons I learned.  [...]

He warned of the disastrous results that occur when government attempts to substitute its own judgment for the judgment of free people. Friedman asked in his famous book, Capitalism and Freedom: "How can we keep the government we create from becoming a Frankenstein that will destroy the very freedom we establish it to protect?" He had a vision of society where men and women are free to choose, but where government is not as free to override their decisions. [...]

"Nothing is so permanent as a temporary government program," Friedman notably said. With the federal government the largest it has ever been (some studies estimate more than 14 million federal employees), Friedman recognized the harsh realities of uncontrollable bureaucracy and government spending. Always ready with a witty remark, Friedman concluded, "If you put the federal government in charge of the Sahara Desert, in 5 years there'd be a shortage of sand."