Reframing the debate: the "free market" versus American values

[welshTerrier2]

I just read a great article on "market fundamentalism" on the Rockridge Institute's website (http://www.rockridgeinstitute.org/projects/moral/sorcer... ) and had a few comments on the subject ...

The author makes the point that conservatives have been able to frame the debate about the "free market" in their own language for far too long ... we are taught to believe that business, unencumbered by regulations promulgated by government bureacrats, will yield the healthiest possible economy for all Americans ... and the progressive talking points ??? sorry to say they lack the grandeur that comes from the right-wing ... oh, there have been important policies like the Family Leave Act or minimum wage increases, but thematically the left needs a more clearly defined framework ...

my suggestion is to begin contrasting the "free market" with "American values" ...

first, to "go negative" about the term "free market", let's ask a few questions and make a few points ...
1. do Americans support a free market that can pollute the air or do you support regulations to protect the health of our citizens
2. should American companies that export American jobs to foreign countries be able to get the same tax advantages as those who don't
3. should business be required to meet health and safety standards in the workplace
4. should businesses that export American jobs be able to obtain government contracts
5. do Americans support the idea of mergers and acquisitions to the extent that real competition within an industry no longer exists
6. do Americans understand the dangers of allowing as much consolidation of our mass media as we've had
7. we've heard a lot of talk about the need for individuals taking personal responsibility ... well, what about business ?? ... business wants to limit the amount they can be sued for in product liability suits ... is that what they mean by taking responsibility ?? is that what they mean by a "free market" ?? do they mean they should be able to pollute the air and make unsafe products and get off for free ??

against the backdrop of reasons why the "free market" does a disservice to the American people, we need to express a positive alternative ... we are not anti-business ... but we do understand the fundamental nature of business which is to maximize profits even if making those profits does not serve the national interests or the will of the American people ...

for these reasons we should build an economy that puts our American values first and the needs of business second. and what are our values? What are the values of an "American Values economy" rather than a "free market" economy?

1. we believe that companies should be free to move jobs overseas if they want to ... but we believe it is unpatriotic to do so ... we believe American companies should put Americans first ... companies that keep jobs in this country and create new jobs for American workers should receive the most favorable tax treatment ... as should those who invest in these companies (this includes lower capital gains rates on the sale of the company's stock).

2. we believe that companies that export American jobs should not be eligible to receive U.S. government contracts (or state government contracts) ... companies that retain American jobs and increase American jobs should be given top priority in the bidding process for government contracts.

3. we believe that a "free market" wants to be as free as possible to pollute the environment ... we understand that the costs of pollution can be devastating to the American people (in terms of cleanup costs and in terms of public health) and that the cost of producing pollution-free products must be born by business, not taxpayers and consumers of health care. businesses should not enjoy a "free market" (i.e. a free ride) when it comes to polluting our country.

4. finally, it is unacceptable in this day and age to have hardworking Americans put in a 40 hour week and be unable to provide the necessities of life for their families ... something is fundamentally wrong with an economy that has full-time workers and their families living below the poverty level ... it should be the goal of every American and every American president to commit to changing this sad state of affairs ... it's time to stop blaming the poor with statements about "personal responsibility" and accepting responsibility for a failed system that makes it impossible for far too many hard-working Americans to put food on the table for their families and keep a roof over their heads.

we need to educate Americans to a new framework that knocks down the propaganda that encourages even the poor to support the ideas of free market capitalism ... we need to show that a "free market" is a market with only one value behind it: stockholder profits ... we do not need to oppose profits but we need to hammer home a new message that before profits can be earned, the values of the American people must be addressed ... business should not be free to do whatever it wants to do; business should first have to meet their obligations to the values of the American people. until progressives enter this debate with a clear, thematic message (rather than just one-at-a-time policies), we will not make progress on the economic front ...

[WMliberal]

1. if we could squeeze that into a tagline, it'd work

the masses need things explained briefly and in as black and white terms as possible. nuance and excessive explaination bore them and make them perceive our side to be wishy-washy.

[welshTerrier2]

2. i agree

wow, i'm actually amazed anyone read the post ...

i totally agree with you ... the tag line is that a "free market" is not a good idea because it puts profits ahead of the interests of the American people ... American businesses should reflect the values of Americans and not just seek profits at any cost.

[JanMichael]

4. Hey! I read it too!

But then again I'm probably lying now, it's late and i'm drunk....Sorry?

[welshTerrier2]

5. hmmmmm ....

are you lying that it's late and you're drunk or that you read it ...

[ogsball]

3. I like your ideas. They are very good.

How about calling it the "Fair Market" instead of "Free Market"

BTW "Free Markets" are very difficult to sustain without some regulation because companies by nature try to persuade and become deceptive. It's the role of government to make sure these blocks to the "Fair Market" are removed so that everyone can compete fairly.

[welshTerrier2]

6. thanks ...

glad you like what i wrote ...

the main point of the Rockridge Institute, btw, seems to be to give the left some much need jargon and better marketing to make their case ...

i don't really like the term "fair market" ... i'm not sure it's meaning is clear ... it sounds like a minor modification to "free market" ... is it within the realm of a "fair market" to allow jobs to be exported? what does a "fair market" have to do with pollution regulations? the term seems to focus more on the market than the broader issues that our society must deal with ...

what i'm trying to establish is the right jargon to say that when Republicans sing the praises of the "free market", what they really mean is that they think the needs of business should come ahead of the needs of the American people ...

my suggestion, i'm more than open to others, was to suggest the term "an American values economy" that argues that we should put the beliefs and values of the American people ahead of the interests of business ... again, this is NOT anti-business ... it just recognizes that our country and our people have values that must be honored by both individuals and businesses ...