The American Free Enterprise

Introduction

This discussion will attempt to present an analysis of the mixed market. The discussion will examine the strengths and shortcomings of the United States' mixed market and conclude by proposing a way to address the shortcomings and a possible solution. In order to do so adequately, the discussion will borrow terminology and examples from 30 Days on Minimum Wage and Untold Wealth: The Rise of the Super Rich to support the presented arguments. As a thesis, the discussion will attempt to assert that there is a need to reinvent the mixed market system in the US.

Discussion

There are countless advantages to a mixed market; however, the most relevant advantage lies in the fact that the mixed market enables the US government to ensure justice and equality. Even if the US government does not manage to create an ideal set of circumstances, the presence of the US government in the form of a watch-dog helps to create a regulatory framework that essentially draws the line. Elements such as the creation of a minimum wage law help to ensure that a minimum financial incentive is continuously made available to the employed population; in addition to which the US government strives to increase employment rates.

Furthermore, the presence of the mixed market allows the US government to control and regulate the infrastructure so that smooth and uninterrupted operation of state level support services is always present (O'Dougherty). For instance, local train networks and airports are operated by the US government; even though the shops at the train stations and the airlines at the airport are private. The US government takes on the responsibility of the roads, bridges and tunnels; even though the cars that run through them are essentially private. Government control in the mixed market is present to the point that the US government has the authority to instruct private companies on the products and services that they are to produce and offer if the country is in a state of war. In such cases, publicly owned businesses are mandated to submit to US government instruction.

However, the mixed market system also has certain disadvantages that merit highlighting. These disadvantages have the same country-wide scope as the advantages highlighted above. Morgan Spurlock's 30 Days - Living on Minimum Wage gave an exceptionally up-close view of the reality that lies behind one of the products of the mixed market: the minimum wage (Spurlock and Jamieson). The show made it apparent that the minimum wage totted by the mixed market is perhaps the bare minimum. The minimum wage line clearly lies far too close to the line of unemployment. Having to decide between medical treatment and food is a choice that can only be made by an individual who is either living on minimum wage, or has become recently unemployed. In essence, an individual working on the mixed market's much boasted-about minimum wage is hardly any better than an unemployed individual.

Untold Wealth: The Rise of The Super Rich by CNBC, is yet another example of ...