Battle4Liberty

Debating with the left is a mixed bag. Many liberals are so wedded to their positions that alternative logic and reason is simply meaningless. Discussing economics and politics with so-called moderates can be equally frustrating, but in a different way. Several underlying premises have crept into our culture and are subconsciously accepted by undecided voters. Three of them can be particularly difficult to overcome.

1. “WE’VE GOT TO DO SOMETHING.” Americans have a bias for action, but solving problems should not be confused with taking action. Sometimes “doing something” can make a problem worse, just as barking dogs often don’t stop until they are left alone. And even if taking action contributes to a solution, it’s not always a wise use of resources. Going to the doctor with a head cold might result in some marginal benefits, but doing so is usually not worth the time, energy, or money.

This is a particular problem when discussing economic problems. The solution to most of them is to get government out of the way and let markets sort out the inefficiencies. During the 2008 presidential election I recall being asked the same question numerous times: If you don’t like Obama’s plan to fix the economy, then what’s yours? My contention that government causes most economic problems and can’t directly fix most of them is logical and accurate, but often fell on deaf ears.  Waiting for the markets to work out a real, sustainable solution just doesn’t seem to make sense to many moderates. Besides, the market solution might not be “fair.”

2. “THE TRUTH IS ALWAYS IN THE MIDDLE.” Ask most Americans about the Israel-Palestinian dispute and they’ll tell you that both sides are to blame. Ask them why the NFL labor dispute is ongoing and they’ll tell you that both players and owners are at fault. Ask them why we’re on track to have a $1.7 trillion deficit this year and they’ll tell you that we need both tax increases and spending cuts. Ask them to support their middle ground positions with evidence and few will present a logical argument.

Sometimes the answer is in the middle, but assuming the superiority of the middle position from the outset is intellectual laziness. In fact, the left has used this premise to win a number of political battles. For example, various components of Obama’s spending spree have been justified as fiscally responsible over the long term (e.g., the flawed argument that Obamacare will actually lower healthcare costs) or just temporary (e.g., the stimulus). Now that we’re facing record deficits, they argue that the solution can only be found in a combination of minor spending cuts and tax increases (the notion that tax increases raise revenues is suspect anyway, but I’ve addressed that previously). Their position is presented as some sort of reasonable compromise while those who argue for spending cuts alone—repeal Obamacare, for example—are labeled as unrealistic or extremists. Many of my friends and coworkers accept this “middle ground” logic without any serious analysis.

3. “CAPITALISM BREEDS CORRUPTION.” Even many self-defined pro-capitalists fall for the notion that wealthy business tycoons are greedy and cannot be trusted. Unchecked power can certainly breed financial corruption, but many leftist politicians are the most corrupt in this regard, freely spending other peoples’ money on programs that pay off political allies or simply don’t work. The problem is not capitalism, but human nature. At least capitalism generates wealth in the first place.

Overcoming these barriers can be a challenge because they are subtle, but recognizing them is paramount in order to attack them directly. Look for these flawed premises the next time you engage a moderate or “independent” voter, but make sure you avoid the traps they create. Don’t propose some sort of government action when no intervention is the best alternative. Don’t propose a “middle ground” solution to a problem just to sound reasonable. Any by all means don’t give ground to the misconception that capitalism is immoral. Nothing could be further from the truth.