Unsung Heros

Here is a fascinating post over at Café Hayek. It refers to an obituary of Viktor Schreckengost, a virtually unknown artist and capitalist. Russ Roberts salutes Mr. Schreckengost for doing more to improve the welfare of the average American—particularly lower income Americans—than any politician you can name.

I actually learned about Schreckengost in my Art 101 class at Oregon State. It is, perhaps, the only thing I retained from the course, which I earned a C in.

Roberts heralds the man as an unsung hero. Good for him, I say. But he is said to have contributed over $200 billion to the economy and I’m sure he was amply rewarded for his contributions. That’s the beauty of markets. Do something to help me and I will give you my money.

The politicians Roberts refers to, on the other hand, mostly lack the innovation to be successful in the economy so they must seek the fame, power and profits available in the political sphere. Do something to help me (or more often, just convince me that something you might do might help me) and I will give you my vote.

Which do you think are the more noble incentives?