There is a relatively common refrain/sentiment, on both sides of the political aisle, that goes something like this: "If we could just get rid of this bad batch of politicians and get the right ones then everything will be great." Usually, the person expressing this concern cannot point to a specific time when the right people were in office and things were great. Or, if they do point to a specific time, they are blissfully ignorant about the facts of that time. This feeling, that the problem is the individuals we elect, ignores the institutions that shape how individuals act.
I think very highly of humankind. I think most people are generally kind. I think most people do things to help others and merely for the sake of helping others. I also think government is generally harmful. How can it be that I think most people are good, and politicians are people, yet I dislike government? The problem is that well-intentioned people can make mistakes. When this human fallibility combines with the power to force decisions on others it is a recipe for harmful outcomes.
It is no secret that legislators from certain areas tend to vote for certain measures. Washington's politicians favor aerospace. Virginia's favor the military. West Virginia's favor coal. This is perfectly understandable. My guess is that these legislators are good people, and they are truly trying to help others. Unfortunately, they don't understand that they are doing more harm than good. Voting for a piece of legislation that helps Boeing also hurts Boeing's competitors and consumers. For a more specific example, consider Russ Feingold. I don't personally know him, but there seems to be every reason to think he is a very good person who went into politics to help people. However, he has a strong record of opposing free trade. By opposing free trade he forcefully limits the range of choices open to individuals, not just in the United States, but foreigners as well. Individuals who would freely opt to engage in some form of trade or exchange are prevented from doing so by limits on free trade.
The same pattern can be applied to any area of policy. Individual politicians with very good intentions and the genuine desire to help, hindered by their incomplete knowledge or understanding, make choices that limit the opportunities of others.
I think very highly of humankind. I think most people are generally kind. I think most people do things to help others and merely for the sake of helping others. I also think government is generally harmful. How can it be that I think most people are good, and politicians are people, yet I dislike government? The problem is that well-intentioned people can make mistakes. When this human fallibility combines with the power to force decisions on others it is a recipe for harmful outcomes.
It is no secret that legislators from certain areas tend to vote for certain measures. Washington's politicians favor aerospace. Virginia's favor the military. West Virginia's favor coal. This is perfectly understandable. My guess is that these legislators are good people, and they are truly trying to help others. Unfortunately, they don't understand that they are doing more harm than good. Voting for a piece of legislation that helps Boeing also hurts Boeing's competitors and consumers. For a more specific example, consider Russ Feingold. I don't personally know him, but there seems to be every reason to think he is a very good person who went into politics to help people. However, he has a strong record of opposing free trade. By opposing free trade he forcefully limits the range of choices open to individuals, not just in the United States, but foreigners as well. Individuals who would freely opt to engage in some form of trade or exchange are prevented from doing so by limits on free trade.
The same pattern can be applied to any area of policy. Individual politicians with very good intentions and the genuine desire to help, hindered by their incomplete knowledge or understanding, make choices that limit the opportunities of others.
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