The Re-Election Paradox
The outgoing Congress — the lame-duck Republicans of the House, in
particular — didn’t do a whole lot for freedom. Or halting government
growth. So Voters turned on them. Their ranks diminished, enough will be
replaced to make for a Democratic majority in the next session.
But in the last gasps of this session they did do something for freedom. A
little something. They honored the late Milton Friedman, expressing their
condolences to his family, publicly declaring the great man’s importance to
economics and public policy in America and around the world.
The House Resolution “Honoring the life of Milton Friedman” was spot on in
its particulars.
But it smacks as “too little too late,” doesn’t it?
Had the Republican majority actually taken Milton Friedman’s advice during
the 109th Congress, and put principles of freedom above practices designed
for getting re-elected, they might have been . . . re-elected!
This is a little like the Happiness Paradox in philosophy, isn’t it? When
one strives directly to find happiness, one won’t find it. Only by working
towards one or more worthy goals — in business, family, the arts, politics,
what-have-you — do you discover that you are happy.
Same with getting re-elected.
Lesson learned too late for the current Republicans. They blew it.
Yes, it’s worth remembering Milton Friedman and his good advice. But when
that man stands for something, the real honor is in standing beside the
man’s principles. And the honor, then, even accrues to you.
This is Common Sense. I’m Paul Jacob.
