My views in this area were developed long before the attack on the USS Cole. The chief factors in bringing me around to an anti-war state of mind were the study of economics and the birth of my daughter. Studying economics caused me to appreciate just how difficult it is for the material conditions of human life to be advanced. For there to be material improvement in human life, as Ludwig von Mises and others have demonstrated, there must be not only savings, but investment, such that new devices can be created and their use become widespread. If you own a home, think for a moment how hard you must work to keep your home in good repair.
Roofs wear out, windows wear out, floors and counter-tops wear out.
When things don t wear out, they can go out of style. In short, we must work very hard to preserve what we have. The same is true of cars. A neglected automobile will not last long. On a more personal level, if you are a parent, consider the long hours required simply to nurture a child to one year of age.