Check out this fantastic article by Ted Cruz about how the GOP needs to use more effective messaging, to show how free market policies are actually the most compassionate policies.
And I agree with Mr. Cruz completely; the reason I am a conservative is precisely because I care so much about people who are hurting financially. My heart aches for every such person.
I care too much to watch people’s lives and dreams wasted by bureaucrats. Human lives aren’t chess pieces to be moved around on a board by some all-powerful bureaucratic demigod. Sure, the government can provide each person with $10k of welfare a year, but does that lead to a dignified, enjoyable lifestyle? For those who need it, it might be a good option. But to force everyone into it is wrong.
Each person should be free to make their own choices, and should have many opportunities. These opportunities are guaranteed through a free market, with low unemployment, and low barrier to entry.
The government increases unemployment, and raises the barrier to entry via high taxes, a heavy burden of regulation, and a multitude of forms and permitting fees.
By increasing taxes on small businesses making only 400k-450k or more, we are destroying the economic mobility of the lowest class, and slowly eroding the depth of the middle class. (The take home pay of a small business in that range is often less than 100k. So much for being a ’1%er’.)
I’m glad Mr. Cruz is taking a stand for the freedom that has made us one of the wealthiest and most prosperous nations on Earth, despite having one of the larger Western populations. I hope more conservatives are willing to take a stand when statists say we are ‘without compassion’. It’s the compassion in my heart that makes me want to carefully consider things before taking rash action. As Milton Friedman said: “There’s nothing that does so much harm as good intentions.”
