As the altar of the marketplace becomes our de facto religion, we hear proposals advancing market theory in places where it has never worked and can never work. It is naive to assume that because the marginalized need services that the free market will automatically provide them. Basic to free market theory is that a product is provided only if a profit can be made. Usually, it is impossible to make a profit off of those who are most in need of help. If a profit could be made of social problems, they would have evaporated years ago.
Capitalism is the best economic system ever devised.
Yet, it is not perfect. It has not solved hunger, unemployment, hopelessness or despair. Because the market forces upon which free enterprise operates are often amoral and cruel, simply neglecting glaring social needs. Every area of our community and personal lives cannot be ruled by the profit margin alone. If moral, spiritual, and family values are not also in the mix of our lives, we wind up in profound despair.