Walter Williams on the Tyranny of the Majority, the US Federal Budget and Free-Market Thinking

Daily Bell ^ | 8-1-10 | Ron Holland

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Daily Bell: Does the black community still support Barack Obama ?

Walter Williams: Oh, yes, I think they support Barack Obama because today black Americans are a one-party people. They just support whoever is the Democrat. They supported Bill Clinton, they supported Jimmy Carter. It' unfortunate, in a two-party system, because it means that one party, namely the Democrats, will take the black vote for granted and the Republicans won't even try to compete for it.

Daily Bell: How have you seen economic thinking change during your career?

Walter Williams: The principles of economics don't not change any more than the working of gravity changes. Gravity is the same as when Newton wrote about it. So, economic theory is one thing, but economic systems are another. The most tragic economic change is that the world has come to accept the notion that one person has the right to live at the expense of another person, which I think is despicable. People all around the world – and in the U.S. – believe it's OK for the government to take the property of one citizen and give it to another. If a person did that identical thing privately, we would call it theft. But it's what people routinely ask the government to do.

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Walter Willims/Thomas Sowell 2012

[USMA '71]

I'd vote for them two or three times. If I could have dinner with anyone of my choice, it would be Walter E. Williams.

[The Great RJ]

I often use Dr. Williams’ articles for discussion forums in my college economic classes. My students are very impressed with what he has to say. I would love to be a student in one of his economics classes at George Mason University.

[doc1019]

While trying to interject some Walter Williams logic into a conversation several months ago, an acquaintance suggested that if Walter Williams were black his logic might be different. I just paid for our coffee and suggested that my friend Google Walter Williams.

[4Liberty]

I mention Walter in my college economics classes too. Such a clear thinker. Students are impressed with him. I got my Econ PhD at George Mason University, but never had the chance to take one of his classes. Too bad. Try to carry on his excellent message of Limited Govt., Free Trade, choice and competition in my own classes, nonetheless.

[JoeFromSidney]

Years ago I attended the Libertarian Presidential Nominating Convention (I was giving a talk on the future of freedom). Walter Williams was there, and gave a talk. After his talk, someone in the audience asked him, "How come you're the only Black I see here." His reply: "Maybe it's because I'm taller than the rest." He is indeed a tall man, but his brilliance is the important thing.

[loveliberty2]

"While trying to interject some Walter Williams logic into a conversation several months ago, an acquaintance suggested that if Walter Williams were black his logic might be different. I just paid for our coffee and suggested that my friend Google Walter Williams."

Priceless!!! Perhaps you should send this to Dr. Williams. He would appreciate that response!

[netmilsmom]

bttt

[geologist]

add Alan Keyes !!!!

God help us in our day, in Jesus name, amen.

[imardmd1]

I'd vote for them two or three times. If I could have dinner with anyone of my choice, it would be Walter E. Williams.

That may be true, and certainly would be for me. But what he is saying is that the black culture, as a bloc, would vote neither for him nor his economics, if he were anything but a Democrat. For any office.