How About a Program for Sustainable Government?

Al Gore and David Blood seek to transform unregulated, unfair capitalism into a socially conscious "sustainable" version that encompasses environmental, social and governmental interests ("Toward Sustainable Capitalism," op-ed, June 24). Interestingly, never once in the op-ed does the word "capital" appear, suggesting that the capitalism envisioned by Mr. Gore and Mr. Blood is a hybrid breed of many "isms," the least of which is the system heretofore known as free-market capitalism.

It does not take a Nobel Prize winner to understand that the shortest time horizons on Earth for measuring performance belong to politicians, not capitalists. What 200-year record of success can they demonstrate that proves that the current capitalist system doesn't deliver optimal long-term results, but their transformed system will?

Kevin Johnson

Chatham, Mass.


What is especially curious about Messrs. Blood and Gore's piece is what they leave out. For example, how about creating a climate that rewards investment, for one, by reducing tax rates on long-term capital gains which will lead to greater investment and greater overall wealth? What about radically simplifying the tax code to eliminate the billions wasted each year for tax compliance and tax avoidance? Perhaps government-mandated investment boondoggles and shameless borrowing, which crowd out private investment, should be ended, too. Might long-term income in equality be reduced by improving the education system, such as through school choice, robust vocational training, and by returning the focus of education to knowledge, rather than the grievance du jour?

Of course, these ideas, none of which are original, are of no interest to these gentlemen.

Jonathan A. Lesser

Sandia Park, N.M.


Investors place their money with a firm in the expectation of a financial return in a stream of dividends or rising stock price due to improved earnings. Who would invest in a firm with no earnings, but a high environmental, social and governance factor (ESG)? Answer: a philanthropist. But charity is not capitalism, and philanthropy will not raise the standard of living for Americans. Companies which focus on ESG good are most likely not to drive job growth and economic expansion.

George Hamilton

Claiborne, Md.


With the amount of money that Mr. Gore's party accepts from lobbyists and unions, I surmise they understand financial incentives fully well. I also find it amusing when they pose the question: "What type of capitalism will maximize sustainable economic growth?" Messrs. Gore and Blood, please take note: There are not several "types" of capitalism to choose from. We all know that you are using capitalism as a catch phrase to divert our attention from what you are really talking about. I'll give you a hint. Like "sustainable capitalism," it begins with an "s" and ends with an "m." It's called "socialism."

Heidi Adams

Clearfield, Pa.


Ludwig von Mises sheds light on this subject in his book "Human Action." "The concept of capitalism is as an economic concept immutable; if it means anything, it means the market economy. . . . This faulty nomenclature becomes understandable only if we realize that the pseudo-economists and the politicians who apply it want to prevent people from knowing what the market economy really is. They want to make people believe that all the repulsive manifestations of restrictive government policies are produced by 'capitalism.' "

Bill Burbage

Cayce, S.C.


How about instituting the concept of sustainable government policy?

Allan Page

Poughkeepsie, N.Y.