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There are many talking heads that are trying to figure out the exact cause of the current economic woes we all face. They all have highly complicated explanations, quite beyond the understanding of mere mortals. In a recent discussion with my brother, I laid out a very simple explanation for the causes of our economic woes. If you don’t agree with my assessment, please feel free to comment as to why.

The reason for our current economic woes is simple. Too much government. As simple as that. Too many people look to government for their support. If people knew they had no government subsidies waiting to bail them out of their stupid consumption habits, consumption would never have gotten out of control. And if people were educated on financial matters, instead of social studies, they would know how to avoid stupid consumer debt traps. Simple. Get the government out of the markets, really. Let people freely interact. The government’s only legitimate role should be to prevent criminals from stealing my life, liberty, and property so that I can continue to freely interact. Unfortunately it is the government now which is stealing the American dream of life, liberty, and property; an out-of-control beast that is devouring our liberties at an unprecedented rate.

Our government steals life by taxing us to a degree that 7 out of 12 months of the year’s labors go to taxes. It steals liberty in that I cannot, without the government’s approval, build a house, start a business, or otherwise work to improve my lot in life, in so many ways. The Declaration of independence states that one of the grievances against the crown was the king sending swarms of officers to harass the people and eat out their substance. Is this not true of us today in America? And government steals property for both of the reasons above, plus the illegal takings that occur each and every day through unconstitutional takings such as Kelo vs New London, planning and zoning, building inspection by foolish (yes, foolish) and self-serving inspectors, unreasonable EPA regulations, etc.

We are not losing our country and freedoms because of uncontrolled consumerism, we’re losing it because of out of control government. Consumerism is self-adjusting when allowed to operate freely. Adam Smith knew this. The “Invisible Hand” guided the building and progress of America for over 200 years, yet the arm which holds that hand has been mostly amputated by those seeking to overthrough your freedom.

The US Constitution was written on 4 sheets of paper. Very simple, and very effective. All the talking heads in the world can’t come up with a better system. And it’s all based on the freedom of people to interact as they choose, free from government abuse, and free from criminal acts. Plain and simple and true.

This “shining city” has lost it’s luster, and is crumbling fast. We must work to restore her foundations. And the solutions are far simpler than we might think. Getting rid of all the deadweight is the hard part.