So. That Republican debate tuesday was interesting. Of course, Dr. Paul had all the best answers. I don't know how people can disagree with what he says. Most Americans, unfortunately, have this quasi-religious faith in the state to act in their favor, and in its actions to always have the intended results. But that's simply not true. Minimum wage, rather than helping the poor, hurts them more than anyone else. Companies have to fire workers and cut back on hours, so you wind up with more unemployment. Eventually the price of their product or service goes up to compensate for the raised price of labor, and while higher prices affect everyone, they hurt people the most who don't have money to spare. It's exactly the same with Social Security, a harsh critique of which I am publishing in tomorrow's Red & Black. Though it seems Ron Paul's having a hard time breaking out into the "lead," he's definitely influencing the debate a lot. Go here and see how Giuliani, Romney, Thompson, and McCain are all now talking about free markets and low spending, as if they've acted that way all their lives. Candidates are now talking about cutting taxes and following the Constitution like it's a revolutionary new idea. I think it means they've noticed. Finally, I already posted this on my facebook, but it's well worth posting again:
