Besides the study of my faith and some important lessons taught to me by my immediate family Milton Friedman is the single biggest influencer on my life, on my value system, on my understanding of human nature and my understanding of motivations (both good and bad).
This may sound funny considering Milton Friedman is a Nobel Price winning economist and not a philosopher or psychologist, a government or business leader. Stranger still is that I would admire the inventor of the modern payroll withholding tax or someone that worked as an economist supporting Franklin Roosevelt with New Deal price and wage-fixing policies.
With all that said, reading ‘Capitalism and Freedom’ which was first published in 1962 was a pivotal moment for me. I first read Capitalism and Freedom during High School and have since read it cover-to-cover over a dozen times and referred back to it hundreds of times. I would recommend to every parent that they provide strong rewards to their children for reading and comprehending this awesome piece of literature. Like Friedman may have said, people work best when they work for their own legitimate self- interest. Find a way to incentivize the kids to grasp this. I am so grateful my dad did it for me. It will be worth it!
Although Friedman is known for many fiscal viewpoints that we generally call conservative now but people frequently forget his early and vocal support for gay rights and same-sex marriage, abolishing conscription, legalizing marijuana, negative income tax, and many more including be a strong voice opposing the Gulf War and the Iran War. He was also lovingly married to his wife and co-author Rose for 68 years.
I am going to take this topic, Milton Friedman Learnings and expand on it over time on my site explaining how I interpret Friedman’s views on religion, family, government, society, economics, capitalism and freedom.
Mike
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