Now or Never: Saving America from Economic Collapse An excerpt from Jim DeMint’s newest book
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Photo by Gage Skidmore
merica now dangles on the edge man explains: of a fiscal and economic cliff. We The argument for collectivism, have changed our original vision from an for government doing something, is individualistic and decentralized society simple. Anybody can understand it. to a collectivist and centralized political “If there’s something wrong, pass a structure rife with waste and corruption. law. If somebody is in trouble, get Federal policies now have the governMr. X to help them out.” The arment owning or controlling a large and gument for voluntary cooperation, unprecedented part of America’s ecofor a free market, is not nearly so nomic activity—a condition more akin simple. It says, “You know, if you to socialism than capitalism. allow people to cooperate volunThe more we learn and assess, the tarily and don’t interfere with them, more disturbing it gets! indirectly, through the operation of Consider this: the federal government the market, they will improve matis now the nation’s largest property ownters more than you can improve it er (Washington holds the deed to nearly directly by appointing somebody.” one-third of America’s total landmass). That’s a subtle argument, and it’s By taxing us, our government “owns” hard for people to understand. over one-third of the profits of all busiMoreover, people think that when Senator Jim DeMint speaks at a rally in Erlanger, Kennesses and more than one-third of the tucky for then-candidate Rand Paul. you argue that way you’re arguing incomes of most working Americans. for selfishness, for greed. That’s utWashington controls and restricts the deter nonsense. velopment of America’s energy resources. Government controls Unlike America’s Founders, who understood well the dangers the majority of education and health-care services in America. It of centralized power, today’s voters are not as familiar with these owns the primary retirement income plan for most Americans lessons of history. Being less suspicious of centralization than (Social Security). And government—through a burdensome reguearlier generations makes the average voter more susceptible to latory system and direct interventions into the financial markets— the utopian promises of big government. Politicians understand effectively controls a significant portion of the nation’s economic this and exploit citizens’ fear and insecurity—typically born of development and business activity. Washington’s numerous contrived crises—to herd the masses into How did this happen? How did America change so quickly more dependency on big-government programs. from the “shining city upon a hill,” the beacon of individual freeIf Americans are convinced they are unable to survive and sucdom, and the world’s model for free enterprise economic prosperceed on their own, they will demand that big government protect ity to a nation on the brink of economic collapse? them and make them more secure. It was Benjamin Franklin who The siren song of socialism that has lured Europe and almost told us that any society that gives up liberty to gain security will every other nation in history now has America in its trance. Politideserve neither and lose both. Losing individual autonomy and cal salesmen for collectivism are irresistible; their pitch is always drive kills the soul and diminishes the individual initiative required more attractive to uninformed voters. Economist Milton Friedto build strong nations.
16 March 2012