The Free-Lance Star’s economic illiteracy
By Norman Leahy | Thursday, December 8th, 2011 | Economics, PoliticsThe Fredericksburg Free-Lance Star’s editorial page is deeply offended by George Allen’s remark that government doesn’t create jobs, sniffing that this is little more than “shibboleth-slopping of the simple-minded.”
While I appreciate alliteration as much as the next person, it is the unsigned editorial writer who is showing his or her simplicity. To help ease the writer’s way out of economic illiteracy, here’s a brief, handy video — filled with easy to grasp graphics — explaining the point Mr. Allen, like unnumbered thousands before him, was making:
After the writer has reviewed the above video a few times, and then had a nice nap and a refreshing snack, he or she might possibly be ready to tackle some stronger stuff, like this snippet from Milton Friedman:
Watch it as often as necessary. Feel free to take notes and ask questions afterwards. And then, perhaps, the writer might be ready to dive into the deep end and wrestle with the foundational argument behind the videos and Mr. Allen’s remark: Frederic Bastiat’s “That Which is Seen, and That Which is Not Seen.”
Only after completing this economic primer will the writer then be allowed to write about what governments can and cannot create.
Tags:
Contribute for Conservatism!
Share this post
About the author
Norm Leahy has written about Virginia and national politics online since 2002, beginning with One Man's Trash (OMT), and continuing through Bacon's Rebellion (both the blog and the e-zine), Sic Semper Tyrannis, NBC12's Decision Virginia, Richmond.com and Tertium Quids. He is the chief blogger at "The Score" and a producer of "The Score" radio show as well as being a Washington Post contributor.
Comments
2 Responses to "The Free-Lance Star’s economic illiteracy"
This kind of alliteration was frowned upon when Agnew was spouting it – by, no joke, all the leftists. So nice that leftists on reflection think Agnew is a worthy person to emulate. Of course they also put Mao on the Xmas tree. Autocracy and desperate partisanship (and lunacy) do make for strange bedfellows.
EXCELLENT! I gave my own opinion on the FLS web site. Whoever wrote that idiotic piece of nonsense needs to be fire and get — well — a government job. Oops. No, I take that back. I do respect those who work in government. This person has no place other than an “occupy [fill in the blank] tent. Preferably on the West Coast.
Leave your response
The comments section is for meaningful discussion. Readers are reminded to post comments that are germane to the article and write in a common language that steers clear of personal attacks and/or vulgarities.
Please take a moment to review our comment policy.