The problems with Leftist/Dem economic theory
This article is a really great analysis of the fallacies of Leftist/"Progressive" pronouncements and policies.
Leftists/Democrats want to raise taxes on the rich--and frankly, if that's all they wanted to do it might not be so bad. Unfortunately that's only part of their agenda. Since they view business as eeeevil, they also want to pass endless laws and empower government agencies to make endless regulations that have the effect of making it a lot harder and more expensive to produce things, or indeed, to go into any business.
Since only a small percentage of the population (including virtually all Leftists and a large majority of Democrats) have ever started or run a business, most think it doesn't matter how hard a government makes it to run one, because businessmen and entrepreneurs will just press on and do their thing regardless of how many obstacles government throws at 'em.
In this view businessmen are hard-wired to start and run businesses. Like gerbils in a wheel, they'll continue to do that until they die, regardless of obstacles. If that's true, why shouldn't politicians do whatever they wish to make the wheel harder to turn?
Ugly philosophy, huh. And predictably, it doesn't produce a good result.
Because although *some* businesses would continue to be started regardless of red tape, at the margin a lot of people who would have started a small business think, "Why should I take all the risk, work ridiculous hours, take out a second mortgage on my home for startup funds, when most people will hate me if I succeed?" There's also the certainty that the pols will just keep ratcheting up the obstacles, making it ever harder.
I hate to throw this out there, but if you don't believe this happens, you're dreaming.
If you've never run a business, and had to jump through all the hoops the govt has set up, you have no idea.
Anyway, go read the article. Pull quote: "You can't make an omelette out of theoretical eggs." Refers to the idea that Leftists have nothing but contempt and loathing for business, but oh my do they howl if they can't obtain something they want.
"Why isn't it there?" they'll whine. "It's your job to make stuff. Why didn't you make the stuff you always made before? It's not fair!"
These people want an omelette, dammit. It never occurs to 'em--and never will unless they literally starve to death--that if one makes it impossible for the humble chicken-farmer to feed and house chickens, egg production falls to about one percent of current output.
This is literally inconceivable to them. While they know that causes produce effects in the areas they like or want to change, it simply doesn't occur to 'em that this works for production and business too.
"But I want an omelette, dammit!" It's your JOB to make that happen!
These are the same people who bring pressure to shut down nuclear power ("far too dangerous!"), but then go on to shut down coal plants ("pollution"), block any new dam construction (ruins scenic views), ban drilling everywhere they can (pollution), and then scream when the local electric company is forced to do a rolling blackout.
These people are idiots. The fact that some (or even most) of 'em are well-meaning doesn't change the fact.
Leftists/Democrats want to raise taxes on the rich--and frankly, if that's all they wanted to do it might not be so bad. Unfortunately that's only part of their agenda. Since they view business as eeeevil, they also want to pass endless laws and empower government agencies to make endless regulations that have the effect of making it a lot harder and more expensive to produce things, or indeed, to go into any business.
Since only a small percentage of the population (including virtually all Leftists and a large majority of Democrats) have ever started or run a business, most think it doesn't matter how hard a government makes it to run one, because businessmen and entrepreneurs will just press on and do their thing regardless of how many obstacles government throws at 'em.
In this view businessmen are hard-wired to start and run businesses. Like gerbils in a wheel, they'll continue to do that until they die, regardless of obstacles. If that's true, why shouldn't politicians do whatever they wish to make the wheel harder to turn?
Ugly philosophy, huh. And predictably, it doesn't produce a good result.
Because although *some* businesses would continue to be started regardless of red tape, at the margin a lot of people who would have started a small business think, "Why should I take all the risk, work ridiculous hours, take out a second mortgage on my home for startup funds, when most people will hate me if I succeed?" There's also the certainty that the pols will just keep ratcheting up the obstacles, making it ever harder.
I hate to throw this out there, but if you don't believe this happens, you're dreaming.
If you've never run a business, and had to jump through all the hoops the govt has set up, you have no idea.
Anyway, go read the article. Pull quote: "You can't make an omelette out of theoretical eggs." Refers to the idea that Leftists have nothing but contempt and loathing for business, but oh my do they howl if they can't obtain something they want.
"Why isn't it there?" they'll whine. "It's your job to make stuff. Why didn't you make the stuff you always made before? It's not fair!"
These people want an omelette, dammit. It never occurs to 'em--and never will unless they literally starve to death--that if one makes it impossible for the humble chicken-farmer to feed and house chickens, egg production falls to about one percent of current output.
This is literally inconceivable to them. While they know that causes produce effects in the areas they like or want to change, it simply doesn't occur to 'em that this works for production and business too.
"But I want an omelette, dammit!" It's your JOB to make that happen!
These are the same people who bring pressure to shut down nuclear power ("far too dangerous!"), but then go on to shut down coal plants ("pollution"), block any new dam construction (ruins scenic views), ban drilling everywhere they can (pollution), and then scream when the local electric company is forced to do a rolling blackout.
These people are idiots. The fact that some (or even most) of 'em are well-meaning doesn't change the fact.
posted by SF at
10:50 AM
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