Every day, the miracle of the internet solves another problem for me that I didn't know I had. Today's example: BuyYourFriendADrink.com. This new service allows me to buy real, physical drinks for friends I may never have met in the flesh. To buymyfriendadrink, I need only log onto their site, upload some cash, and write a personalized message.

The message is then sent to my e-buddy, who can take it to one of the bars listed on the BYFAD roster, give the barkeep his gift code, and sip a cold one on me.

Unfortunately, for those of us in flyover America, the service is currently only offered in the New York City area. However, I can't help but think the concept is applicable to many other markets. For example:

• For Floridians: BuyYourFriendASeniorsSpecialAtDennys
• For your boss: BuyYourBossABagOfIceBecauseHeNeedsToLearnToChillDude
• For your friends in California, perhaps: BuyYourFriendAnUnpretentiousButQuiteQuaffableCabernet?
• Maybe for your ex-spouse: BuyYourExADonkeyBecauseSheWon'tHaveYourAssToKickAroundAnyMore
• For the New Orleans market, how about: BuyYourFriendAnHourWithAFEMAOfficialAndAHorsewhip?

Free enterprise -- you have to love it.

BuyYourFriendADrink.com is the answer -- what's the question? originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Sun, 22 Apr 2007 14:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

I've noticed that there hasn't been a whole lot of ballyhoo about the communist party setting up its tent in the Chinese branch of Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. (NYSE:WMT). I'm thinking that possibly most of you are seeing this turn of events in the same way that I am. Personally I think this is more of a dilution of the classic "red" communism than the rise of collectivism into an American corporation. Even the communist party dialog in this scenario gives hints that capitalism is once again prevailing. Did you doubt that it would?

Jonathan Dong, a Wal-Mart China spokesperson is quoted as saying, "Quite a few of our associates (employees) are party members already, so they have a right to establish branch organizations."

Did you catch that? Here it is in American line item style: "associates ... have a right." Since when did a communist have a right to anything in their party line thinking? Communists have privileges and responsibilities to serve the party's declared objectives. Historically they have no rights... at least not until Wal-Mart and Best Buy (NYSE:BBY) got there.

My apologies to the socialists out there but I'm declaring this one a victory for our side. China is in the hands of supply side, trickle down economics now. The government is instructing the workers to be good, work hard and build their companies. Hmmm, that sounds kind of American to me. Can the time be far off when the Chinese government realizes that they can create greater wealth and power by opening their business structure to increased investment by their public? Does the Chinese government realize that they have finally and completely opened their doors to free enterprise?

This is a situation that we're going to be watching very closely. It was capitalism that finally crushed the USSR and freed the Soviet population. It was capitalism that brought down the Berlin Wall and reunited Germany. It is capitalism that has kept Cuba and the Korean communists at bay. It is capitalism that has kept the Chinese fed.

Let's face it folks, socialist collectivism is gasping for its last breath ... and it's about time.

Comrade Wal-Mart associate! originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Wed, 20 Dec 2006 10:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.