[MD] Flying Spaghetti Monsters

[craigerb at comcast.net]

[Arlo]
> By rewards, you mean the generation of wealth.

No.  Rewards can take many forms:  extra vacation days, a company car, etc.
In strictly monetary terms, few people achieve wealth.

[Arlo]
> there have to be "rules of engagement" in the market. Can we agree on that?

Yes, indeed.  That's why I insisted on protection for patents & copyrights.  Other rules: no fraud, no theft, no sabotage, no industrial spying, unsw.  

 [Arlo]
> we can...talk about some specific rules or regulations 
> you feel are "bad" and which ones you feel are "good". Also, return the 
> workplace pre-1895, and explain to me the ways the "worker" had it better.
 

Ways the Pre-1895 worker had it better:  shorter commute, no asbestos, no pager or cell-phone to interrupt him during "off-duty" hours.  But these are somewhat beside the point as I don't claim the pre-1895 worker had it better (or worse) than today's worker.
More relevant are modern rules I think are good: worker safety laws, some laws against illegal termination, laws protecting whistle-blowers, anti-pollution laws, child labor laws, some zoning laws.  However, workers should realize that some of these result in lower wages & consumers should realize they can result in higher prices.
Craig