Its really sad when former communists understand the American way better than Americans.

A piece today in the opinion Journal reignited my cynicism and pessimism regarding the future of America. It concerns the Stockholm Network, a European based association of free market think tanks modeled after the American Enterprise Institute, such as the Center For Market economics, which was instrumental in passing Bulgaria's 10% flat tax. Whats remarkable about these and other Free Market think tanks, is that they are most popular and taken most seriously in formerly communist countries. For example of the 19 countries wikipedia lists as currently having a flat tax, more than half were once soviet or soviet satellites.

Whereas here in the west, where communism's chief opposition came from, we are moving in the exact opposite direction. This is even more sad when you consider how many "economic miracles" true free market principles have created just in the last few years. Perhaps you've heard someone refer to the "Celtic tiger"? Well that's basically a nick-name that Ireland received after going from one of Europe's poorest countries to one of its richest in just 10 years, by applying solidly free market principles. As further proof that growth and "inequality" are inseparable; during the same time period Ireland also became the second most "unequal" nation, behind only the United States.

Even more inspiring is the massive growth seen in Eastern European nations, whose economies got anally raped by the Soviets, once they began applying free market principles. The growth rate of Romania, which I was fortunate enough to witness first hand when I lived there, was simply astounding.

And yet, despite the tons of evidence that protectionism hurts the very industries being "protected" despite the proven increase in standards of living brought on by globalisation, despite the proof over the last few years here in the States that lowering taxes can and often does increase tax collections, (as well as the reams of evidence form around the world that it does the same) despite the fact that following the principles, even as loosely as we have over the last 30 years or so, has created the single richest, most dynamic, and opportunity laden economy of all time, at least half of the presidential contenders think raising taxes, less free trade, and more government spending will "save" the economy.

I guess its just further proof Einstein was right when he said
"There are only two things I know to be infinite, the universe and human stupidity, and I'm not sure about the universe"