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, look for a revolt and mark my words, it will not be peaceful.
I know they think their sh-t doesn’t stink, but after a while they’ll come to think of an ex-pat with money as one of them.
Austria, especially Salzburg is a good option. And it’s not such a long drive to sunny Italy.
Yes. Hungary is definitely a good option. I spent several weeks there just four years ago and enjoyed it very much, especially Krakow.
Always remember that the War Between The States began with the Articles of Secession that were published right here in downtown Columbia, SC.
Some states will do the Potomac Tyrant’s bidding, others not so much. I’ll bet there’s a lot of rebellious spirit in the Florida Panhandle. And the Seminoles still haven’t made peace with great white father in Washington, IIRC.
The central socialist government thinks they’re ready for us since they’ve been arming to the teeth for the past 6-8 years. When we’re backed into a corner without any place which we can emigrate, then the lead starts flying.
In turmoil the Muslims will begin to get active and take out people on both sides as they despise us all.
This nation, at this point, looks much like Madrid did in 1936. Our only problem is that we don’t have a Francisco Franco and his gullible Hitler and Mussolini.
I believe there’s plenty of Nationalist sentiment here in central Florida.
If war did break out look for Castro’s minions to stick their filthy noses into the foray.
Belize?
A lot of liberal-tarians are dim witted. Many of them voted for Obama. And many will vote for Hiltery. They operate in a world of Ayn Rand slogans which they call “rational” and are totally disconnected from reality which they name irrational. Here’s one.
After much soul searching, we chose Chile.
The city/town we chose reminds me more of a European city than a Latin American dump. Chileans are very sophisticated and have a lot of cultural connections to Europe.
We were more than impressed, we were literally sold on the first visit there.
Crime is hardly noticeable considering the homogeneous community and we all speak spanish anyways.
Pinochet wasn’t anything like the current usurper we have here. He was much better in all ways - MHO.
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