The Financial Times--Theirs and Ours

STR readers in London may have noticed a small earthquake earlier this month. That's when the following rumbled its way out of The Financial Times newspaper's offices and onto its editorial page:

Herein lies a paradox. The rise of the market in the 1980s and 1990s resulted from a rebellion against the "dead hand of the state" and disenchantment with governments' record in meeting economic expectations. But unleashing market forces has necessarily exposed individuals to bigger risks, from which many now seek protection through official market intervention.

To suggest the wheel has come full circle would be an exaggeration. However, faith in regulation as a panacea is as misplaced as the belief that markets can function properly without any rules. Market failure does happen. But so, too, does government failure. (emphasis added)

I congratulate the FT for its acknowledgement, no doubt after deep reflection and many editorial conferences, that States are sometimes less than perfect. And yet, it's hardly a sign that we're all Misesians now.

On the contrary: It's a sign of how important your support of Strike The Root really is.

And right now that support is needed more than ever.

STR's finances are deeper in the red than they've been in a long time. Maybe ever.

Rob uses your contributions to encourage the best market anarchist writers to produce work exclusively for STR. And of course, there are the costs of web hosting, sending the e-mail version to subscribers, and all the rest.

If he can't afford those things any more, or has to cut back (which is a very real possibility if things don't change soon), it will make a big difference in our ability to promote the principles, and produce the great work, that keep you coming back.

That's why I'm asking you to please give as generous a gift as you can to help STR stay strong and effective.

Here are three important things you should know about supporting Strike The Root:

1. It's very, very easy. STR accepts PayPal, e-gold, and several other secure online transfer methods. It takes only a couple of minutes to set up one of these accounts, and they're all free. If you prefer, you can mail a check or an (anonymous) money order. Or even become a monthly subscriber.

2. You can give whatever amount suits you best. This isn't a subscription-only site, and we're doing everything we can to keep it that way.

We'd love it if every reader gave $50 or more, but we know that's unlikely. (But if you can, we've got a great T-shirt to thank you with, though sizes are limited). Gifts of $20, $10, and even $5 all add up, and will be met with our deep appreciation. Signing up to give STR $10 a month works out to less than the cost of one latte per week (that's how we compare prices here in Seattle). I'm sure you can afford that. And if you decide you can't, you can stop at any time.

3. It's completely private. Rob doesn't release his contributor list to anyone. And unlike supporting a political candidate, you don't have to report your gifts to STR to the government. Want to keep a low profile? STR understands. More than that, we help you do it.

Rob has great ideas for expanding and improving Strike The Root. But now, instead of growing, we're looking for ways to keep our heads above water.

Since Rob started it in 2001, Strike The Root has been having a real, positive effect on people. You've written in to tell us, you've told your friends, and you keep coming back. As I mentioned before, STR has even shown up in important books by major anti-war writers.

But as the clich' goes, you can't save the world if you can't pay the rent.

With major publications like The Financial Times still only grudgingly admitting that sometimes governments make mistakes, the world can't afford to be without the news, information, arguments, and resources Strike The Root brings you every day.

STR truly needs your help. And soon. Please do what you can.