Posted on 06/30/2016 5:42:26 AM PDT by MichCapCon
A sort of bewildered malaise has settled over some parts of the free-market movement. It’s the kind of thing that certain types of optimists would like to ignore, but realists treat it much differently. They lean in to learn what is happening, why, and what to do about it.
Its proximate cause is the Republican presidential nomination of Donald Trump, but it may have emerged after the 2012 national election. President Obama’s re-election disappointed many Mackinac Center supporters because it meant collectivist policies would continue to enjoy Oval Office support. But some of our friends articulated unease beyond displeasure with policy.
To combine and compress comments from several of them, they reacted to popular support of Mr. Obama’s failed policies and divisive rhetoric by saying, “I’m not sure I understand my country anymore.”
That’s a worrisome sentiment, to which they might now add, “I’m not sure I understand the GOP anymore,” now that it appears to have nominated Mr. Trump. Libertarians in our movement may not have considered themselves GOP faithful but few of them wanted the most viable presidential choices boiled down to Hillary Clinton and Mr. Trump, two candidates who cannot be counted on to reliably support freedom and free markets, to say the least.
We don’t yet know why we have arrived at this point. Many commentators, including very learned and respected ones, claim to know, but they agree on little. I do believe the answer to “why” will eventually be found in a combination of factors, none by themselves determinative. They include the mechanics of the nomination process, the power of ideas to shape the Overton Window of political possibility, the secondary and tertiary effects of both failed and successful policies, social movement dynamics, and, perhaps least appreciated, the psychology of a dissatisfied electorate.
I won’t make any public predictions about Mr. Trump. None of my private ones have been correct, anyway. He’s a policy cipher, which may be generous because it implies there is some coherent, guiding, policy logic in there somewhere, if only we can find it.
But I will offer something you can count on. This is a great moment for the Mackinac Center’s mission. By design we are not tied to any political personality or party. We stay true to principle in good political times and bad. Free-market ideas are never out of season, even if they fall out of fashion for a time.
Furthermore, our greatest point of leverage is at the state level, which is just about the only place free-market policies are advancing. We’ve chosen to work where your support translates directly into real impact that helps people in their daily lives, not to beat our heads against a federal castle wall or wait for a White Knight to win the highest office in the land.
I’m reminded of another unconventional politician who was also something of a policy cipher. He won out in a crowded primary field with only 36 percent of the vote, prompting unease among movement faithful. But we found a way to put good ideas in front of eventual Gov. Rick Snyder, who enacted a series of successful tax, regulatory and labor reforms that culminated in what many had deemed impossible — making Michigan a right-to-work state.
Let’s lean in, learn what we can, do what we must and never give up.
If Hillary is elected the nation is finished. I have been wracking my brain to discover a country that would be safe, both for body and wealth.
Switzerland?
Chile?
Austria?
Caymans?
My country is the man I trust to the right, and the man I trust to the left, willing to link shields.
If everybody runs, then it’s my job to slow down the pursuers. If everybody fights, I keep my man busy and look for openings on the guy who has his attention on you.
One virtue of not being a Nobel prize winning genius is my limited brain capacity lets me focus on the essentials.
‘We don’t yet know why we have arrived at this point. ‘
Then you are remarkably stupid.
It appears that the article is written from a Libertarian perspective.
The author’s opinion of Hillary isn’t clear. But he very obviously doesn’t like Trump. Trump is the problem.
Really?? This is why I loathe Libertarians.
Hungary. Hungarian President stated Islam was incompatible with their constitution.
You may end up with only two options:
The camps
Or
Going down with a pile of smoking spent cartridge cases at your feet.
I HATED Switzerland when I visited. It’s pretty of course, but the people are not friendly, they’re snobs, and everything is very expensive. Not to mention it’s cold.
Too many negative assumptions are being made about Trump and what he would do and what he would not do. We know Hillary, and what she would or wouldn’t do, so the assumptions about her are fair.
Good morning.
“Going down with a pile of smoking spent cartridge cases at your feet.”
Hopefully you get that option.
5.56mm
You can accuse Libertarians of patriotism but you’ll never have enough evidence to convict one.
Galt’s Gulch!
I came into this world screaming bloody murder, covered in someone elses blood and I dont mind going out the same way.
Come to South Carolina. A crummy little racist backwater according to liberals and we do have Linda Grahamnesty, but at least we are armed to the teeth & manufacture our own AR-15s, which makes our local muzzies keep vewy vewy quiet.
Red state enclaves: much simpler than leaving the country, and with gun rights that no other place on Earth allows.
Chile
Seriously...we’re there this time next year if that nutjob gets elected.
Already have the home purchased.
This person is self-righteously preening, and obviously has not read DJT's web site nor listened to any of his key policy speeches (as distinct from the rallies), all of which are readily available on YouTube. Hope he enjoys Hillary's intrusions into his life.
GO TRUMP!!!
I’m working hard trying to convince my wife that if Hitlery is elected we have no chance at all excepting at an extremely miserable existence.
I was in Chile three years ago and enjoyed it immensely.
Some Chileans thank the man who made this peaceful, prosperous SA nation prosper: Augusto Pinochet!!!!
Freedom and responsibility are scary. Safety and free stuff are more comfortable. What's to know?
Collectivists will always have an easy path to victory among poorly educated voters. We have arrived at this point because of the systematic destruction of the American education system, which no longer teaches even the basic concepts necessary to comprehend the reasons freedom is desirable.
I’m already settled down in Florida. But if HK steals her way into the White Hut it doesn’t matter in which state you live.
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