But I do owe you the courtesy of explaining why.

Arguing politics gets neither of us anywhere, convinces no one, and is indeed a dialogue that can only become more ridiculous with repetition (not to mention more tedious). And it is not good for the Zone. I'll be happy to discuss anything else with you, but not economics or politics. It only leads to hostility, harsh words and mutual embarrassment.

Having said that, I hope you'll concede to me the last word. This conflict we've been waging for years has nothing to do with philosophy, or ideology, or principle. It's about interest. And by "interest", I do not refer to intellectual curiosity, or the financial return on an investment or loan; I am speaking of self-interest, "something that gives you what is ​important or ​necessary or ​helps you in some way" (Cambridge Online Dictionary).

I have determined objectively what is in my personal interest, and I have made the subjective judgement of what is in the interest of society in general. In my opinion, (and perhaps not surprisingly!) they coincide. I simply do not want to live in the kind of world which you seem to favor. I don't want anyone I care for to live in that kind of world, either. In fact, I believe it is only through a combination of natural talent, hard work and sheer luck that I have been able to avoid doing so.

I don't think you're going to convince me otherwise by citing the founding fathers or quoting inspirational passages from Robert Heinlein.