Government fix for the economy (a)

a. Principles

The title of this post is slightly misleading. My proposal here is how to fix the federal government with their policies toward the economy. I do not propose to have the government take action that will improve the economy. We must first recognize that the government does not control the economy. They can't; all they can do is interfere.

For guidance, we look first to our charter, our founding documents. The declaration of independence for intent, the constitution for governance, and the federalist papers for context.

The declaration of independence tells us that the purpose of government is to protect rights including life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. The misunderstanding we face is that many do not appreciate the difference between a right and an entitlement.

A right is an authority to act. Protection of that right means that the government has a role to ensure our exercise of that right is not interfered with. This means if someone is trying to kill me, the government has a role to try and prevent it. It also means the government cannot interfere with rights

While we have the right to speak, we do not have an entitlement to platform. If you want to put signs up in your yard I cannot stop you; but that does not permit you to put up signs in my yard.

You have a right to work and receive money for that work. You do not have an entitlement to a job or salary. These things must be earned by merit.

Now we know the sorts of things governments are generically supposed to do.

The purpose of the federal government is to unify the states, and provide a common protection. Basically any disputes that affect multiple states, or involve parties outside of our union are in the realm of the feds. Spain invades Florida, that's a federal issue. Florida invades Alabama, same thing. For other issues, they should not be involved.

What does any of this have to do with the economy? Absolutely nothing. That is my point; the federal government should not be interfering at all.