How to beat libertarians on the economy

[DonViejo]

While the right is united economically behind one main agenda, the left lacks such a consensus. Here's the solution

MICHAEL LIND

When it comes to debating conservatives about the future of the American economy, progressives are at a disadvantage. Conservatives are united behind a single vision of the ideal economy, while progressives are divided among three rival schools of economic strategy.

On economics, unlike on social issues or foreign policy, there is no distinction between conservatism and libertarianism. The mainstream right’s economic vision is libertarian, pure and simple: smaller government, lower taxes, free trade and deregulation. Add to this the goal of replacing universal, tax-financed social insurance programs such as Social Security and Medicare with means-tested vouchers to subsidize for-profit providers of retirement savings and medical insurance and medicine, and you have pretty much the whole right-wing economic program.

Nothing like that consensus exists to the left of center. Instead, three distinct and conflicting traditions of political economy coexist under the rubric of liberalism or progressivism. The three are small producerism, unionism and economic rights.

The three schools of center-left economic thought have coexisted, now as rivals and now as allies, since the early 1900s. Each has had its own constituency or social base. Small producerism reflects the interests and values of family farmers and small business owners. Unionism is promoted by organized labor. And economic rights, embodied in universal policies, have been emphasized by reformers and intellectuals, based in the educated professional class.

full article
http://www.salon.com/2013/12/01/how_to_beat_libertarians_on_the_economy/

[Rozlee]

1. Ron Paul is a fake.

Ron Paul rails against government spending and pork. But, a congressman has to deliver goods to his district in order to remain in solid with his constituents. He's gotten tens of millions to build a Baptist community center, millions for decorative street lights and trash cans; he got more millions for research on shrimp farming and 30 million to the Texas Maritime Academy to refurbish an old ship. He spent over 2 million to renovate a theatre and millions more for other projects in his district including millions to check shrimp for antibiotics and buy and repair buses. Hey, I'm in favor of funding public transport and a lot of other government spending, but the fact of the matter is that the man is a hypocrite. He always claims when everyone else is doing stuff like this that business and the free market can do these kind of things and we don't need to turn to the government for handouts. Libertarians hate government for everyone but themselves.

[BlueToTheBone]

2. He's also a well known double dipper. nt

[Major Nikon]

3. Anyone who believes a slavery apologist is a champion of liberty can't be too smart to begin with

[WhoWoodaKnew]

4. That was hard to read.