You ain't kiddin': Because the Labor Theory of Value was Adam Smiths idea, introduced in The Wealth of Nations (AKA the bible of capitalists, laissez-faire and otherwise—because the ACTUAL bible kind of cramps their style.) It is telling that even capitalisms godfather calls it a case of the tail wagging labors dog. Marx merely followed Smith to his logical inexorable conclusion rather than stop halfway at the first convenient spot. Because getting off the ride when it no longer suits ones personal avaricious "lifestyle choice" is how deicide happens....