If the government were composed entirely of merchants, it would be the worst of all governments for any country whatsoever.
~ Adam Smith (born: 1723-06-16 died: 1790-07-17 at age: 67) author of Wealth of Nations Republicans misrepresent Smith as advocating unregulated capitalism. He was horrified by the crookedness of the Glasgow merchant monopolists, and felt the government had to engage in anti-trust activity to counter its effects.