Sunday

The Invisible Hand and The Invisible Man - or - Mr. Smith Goes to Washington


In general, I have little argument with W’s foreign policies. My only disagreement with the war in Iraq is that we didn’t invade soon enough to procure the weapons WE ALL know were there. I assure you that Bush will include this regret in his first autobiography. Domestically, I disagree with the extraordinarily high level of spending for which this administration cosigns. Also, I believe that there are other domestic policies that seem to be motivated by appeasement of his party opposition.

This article, by one of our country’s most respected economists, explains the foundation of three Bush objectives to improve the American standard of living. They relate to the much revered Adam Smith's Invisible Hand as described in his 1776 book "The Wealth of Nations". It includes the reasoning for the war, tax and tort reform:

“Little else is requisite to carry a state to the highest degree of opulence from the lowest barbarism but peace, easy taxes, and a tolerable administration of justice: all the rest being brought about by the natural course of things." - Adam Smith

Bush should take note that not all Americans understand the grounds for his actions as this material is not widely distributed. As such, he has a huge obstacle in regaining the confidence of the American people. But, as Ronald Reagan suffered from popularity woes as his presidential years waned, I believe that history will record a different story of the Bush presidency than that currently being blurted by the big media outlets. Unlike Reagan, the single consistent frustration that I have had with our President is that he seems completely disinterested in communicating his cause directly to the people. This will make for an exceptionally difficult learning-curve for the American people.

Will

Comments:
Unfortunately, we cannot hope to achieve the free-market system as Adam Smith advocates. Our mixed-economy has us constantly looking to our big daddy for approval.

~Milt~
 
The theme of the last paragraph has been a thorn on my side forever. Blessed and of conviction as he is, his communication skills have an almost opposite effect on the public relation front. The man simply does not have the gab gift of a Reagan, a Clinton or even Rummy to make his points more convincing. Thats why I am curious as to how the Tony Snow filter will affect the policies. Sometimes I yell at the TV whenever he says something in utter frustration. It amazes me that he does not just give a summary and bring in a mouthpiece to better explain the detail. His body language (the slouching of the shoulders, the grinnin', the verbal gaffes...) although making him a regular guy to most folks, certainly do not help shape the message of his administration.
 
Milt...you disappoint me with your pessimism! Certainly, we may not achieve perfection. But, we must not give up hope!

Dardin, I do get uncomfortable when he talks. Although most of that discomfort comes from the ammo he is giving his critics. I wish that superficial things like posture didn't matter. But, they do.

Will
 
Hmmm, I think Milt is just dousing the optimism with some pragmatic reality. I agree with him actually. Conservatives have the white house, the senate, and the house.... and what do we have to show for it? No Child left behind? Prescription Drugs?... Homeland Security?.... What a waste. GW may be a cowboy but wetting his toe in the waters got him nothing. Appeasing Pelosi and Reid got him ridiculed. All for the "united not a divider" mantra. Bush's policy had failed capitalism. The coutry has done great in SPITE of his pandering to the pork needs of the left and right, in SPITE of the education and health social programms he was caboosed into.
 
The conservatives don't have the White House, Senate, or the House at all. The Republicans do! They are just another party of self-interest with a few players that have the right idea...but, not enough to make a difference. True conservatives lean more toward Libertarian on most issues both foreign and domestic.

I think what Milt is saying that we are now a mix of socialism and capitalism. And, he is largely correct. However, that doesn't mean that through education (and a few political blunders by the Reps and Dems) that a new awakening can't occur. As you mentioned, Dardin, the answer may be having Hillary provide the harsh awakening that we need through her incapable governance.
 
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