I read this when I was 12 yo and have never forgotten it.
" Thus there arose Priestley classes, who for there own ends,
encouraged fear and superstition amongst the masses,
and discouraged them from seeking the truth about the universe"
re the Free Market thing, Australia has already got halfway there, our current far Left Socialist Government has already brought that shit in, carbon taxes, mining taxes although we still have some pretty good economic conditions things are about to change.
From a business viewpoint my company manufactures and markets Commercial and Industrial Light fittings for a living, employs 8 people and we do OK, but I am refusing to do any capital business expenditure until 6 months after our next Federal election, therefore June 2014. This is purely due to uncertainty in the general market, and I am not alone. All because of the current situation.
Enough of my rant, Interesting times ahead, lets enjoy them while we can.