When the productive plumber protests that his tax burden will increase, Obama intuits the problem inherent in "equitable distribution." He says to the questioner, "It's not that I want to punish your success..." However, punished success is just the mischief that successful Americans fear. Obama's desire to "spread the wealth around" may not come with malevolent intent, but to be sure, policies such as are advocated by the Democratic Socialists may result in inhibitions of initiative and innovation.
Rudolph Penner recently said on a C-Span call-in show that capitalism isn't perfect but it is better than the alternatives. Indeed, many have suggested that the current mortgage mess derives from well-intended attempts to spread the wealth around. In unraveling the causes of the housing bust, one finds multiple targets of blame. However, it seems clear that government policies which encouraged home ownership beyond a borrower's means were part of the chaos. In light of the federal government's inability to manage markets, it is a fair question to ask: Do we need more central planning or less?
Whatever your view of economic policy, shouldn't we have a public conversation about wealth re-distribution, and popular control of production and resources? The debates have been a profound disappointment in this regard.
I think the onus falls on the mainstream media to broach the S-word in questions to Mr. Obama about economic philosophy and policy. Mr. Obama, what did you mean when you talked about punishing success and spreading the wealth around? Is a move toward socialism in your vision for the nation, Mr. Obama?
I fear many Americans enamored with Mr. Obama's ability to revive the economy may be surprised that he intends instead to remake it. |