Robber Barons?

Following the principle that it isn't what you don't know that will get you into trouble, but what you think is true that is not.

This is the case of the term "Robber Barons" which is usually reserved for those pioneers of industry who are responsible for railroads, factories, plants and other miracles of the last century.

Typical of peasant mentality, the masses called them villians, charletons, robbers and exploiters. This is so far from the truth, it is tragic. Without them there would have been no railroads, no factories, and no jobs. Hundreds of thousands of people benefited from their effort and in wanting to be paid for this effort, they were called selfish bastards.

If I hear anyone speak the term "Robber Baron", I know I am speaking to someone with a limited knowledge of fundamental economics and is simply repeating what other people have said. In my opinion, it is a complete lack of any independent thinking of that person and they have probably never read a book beyond "The Hardy Boys" or "Black Beauty".

Read "Atlas Shrugged", "Economics in One Lesson", "The Fountainhead", or "Capitalism: The Unknown Ideal" in order to get a clear picture of what went on during the building of American infrastructure.

Stop thinking like a peasant and more like an American.