The People Know Best

The economy will be the issue in the upcoming election. It is nothing new that the voting public will be concerned about whether they will keep their job or find a job. That is normal in a down economy. What is new, is that voters will see economic issues as a choice between competing economic theories. Republicans, in spite of some watered-down specimens, are seen as favoring laissez faire capitalism. The image of Democrats is not so clear. The press characterises the policies of Obama and his majority congressional party as moderate and free of ideology. The voters know that this is far from true. The public has not been blind and deaf and sees Democrats as favoring one form of socialism or another.

The media seldom frames the choices this clearly and the messages from politicians skirt this fundamental debate. Nevertheless, the public knows that change is afoot. The question is whether we want to endorse the changes implemented by the Democrats or to change directions. At long last, this is how it should be. We have never had that choice presented so starkly before. Laissez faire implies freedom, some will fear the personal responsibility that it also implies. However, more of us fear the emphasise on state and collective power and welfare in place of of the individual that socialism implies.

To what extent we will get change along free market lines even with the Republicans is problematic. Even with a slim majority, the president would still have veto power. Unfortunately also, far to many Republicans still want to compromise the principles of our constitution. Old political habits are hard to break. However, even modest Republicans gains, will show that the public at least has turned the corner. If we can do that, economic confidence will build. We will be heading in the right direction and can drag our lawmakers along.