The Case For Free Market Solutions
Recently I have found myself arguing with many Democrats and even some Republicans about social welfare programs. I present free market solutions and they....well they find victims and parade them in front of the cameras, then rush to institute ever more social welfare programs while the tears are still in the public’s eyes. I used to do this with my mom as a child. Play the hurt victim and ask for a treat while her sympathy was high; worked every time. “How can I demonstrate the superiority of free market solutions?” I asked myself. I’ve found a very unlikely ally in this mission - France.
Alan Greenspan contrasts the two competing economic systems of France and the US, and argues that many of our feelings about free market solutions stem from cultural and political beliefs. [I have taken to listening to books on my MP3 player while en route to events in Maine. Most recently, I have been listening to Alan Greenspan’s "Age of Turbulence."] Greenspan provides a logical explanation that Mainers should listen to. His argument that the difference is embedded in our political structure and our societal values is backed by some pretty interesting contrasting statistics.
For example, 71 percent of Americans believe in free markets while only 34 percent of the French prefer free markets. Additionally, 3/4 of French students aspire to work for the government while a very small percentage of American students seek to work in the federal government. Wow! France, through its culture and punitive tax codes and regulations, built a culture of dependency. While well intended, it has proven less effective than our system. As we speak they are moving towards a US based free market system; in fact, the whole world is. Their efforts, based on shared common values of providing large safety nets, have accomplished little. In the end, free markets actually achieve those societal ends more effectively than the regulation and taxes associated with governments like those in France or Maine. I am afraid that’s the climate our politicians have created in Maine. Through taxation and regulation they have created a state of dependency.
According to Greenspan free markets have reduced poverty and improved healthcare and the overall quality of living. Your own observations will tell you that when there’s a tragedy anywhere in the world it’s not France they turn to, it’s the US.
Growing social programs does not work. While they may seem to resolve an issue and placate our sense of benevolence they don’t work. To the contrary, free markets solve societal ills better as they promote competition and efficiency. Here in Maine, we are close to importing the entire French mentality. We've seen its’ result. We are the 2nd most taxed state in the country and Forbes considers us among the worst states to own a business.... We already have a Paris, Maine... let’s keep it at that.
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