What is Seen and What is Not Seen
Foresight: the ability to think ahead, the ability to envision possible future problems or obstacles.
Fredric Bastiat had the wisdom and ability to recognize that there are series of effects connected with every action whether it is on an economic, societal, or personal level. He was a brilliant economist with the ability to look forward and survey the results of cause and effect. I believe that he came up with a prudent philosophy of not only political economy but also a philosophy of living that can enrich lives and make it possible to avoid many pitfalls and struggles. Unfortunately we live in a time of fast food, easy credit, and ‘live for the moment’ mentality. This has produced a nation of impatient, short-sighted people who are constantly focused on consuming. This conspicuous consumption ideology is a crisis which causes discontent, restlessness, debt, and problems at an individual, family, community and societal level. Instant gratification is marketed for every conceivable object and to every age even before birth. This obsession of ‘buy now pay later’ has become such a huge problem that I believe it will bring about an economic disaster. The precarious bubble of an unsound economy could burst and with it will pour the rains of crisis.
A prime example of this shortsighted thinking is currently the stimulus checks from the federal government. The money received by individual Americans will perhaps help them out with a purchase that they have been putting off, but in the long run, it will cost exponentially more because of the interest on an unsound loan. The federal government is incapable of growing the economy with taxation and redistribution and this has been proven time and time again within capitalist, socialist, and communist nations, but the facts are laid aside for political popularity and power at the polls. This temporary satisfaction of a few dollars in the pocket now will eventually rob generations to come of economic stability and growth. Bastiat’s comparison to a nation as a parched piece of land and taxes as a force that draws moisture from the ground is an astute judgment. We are so willing to partake of the poison in order to quench a thirst.
Programs, benefits, grants, loans, bureaucracy, security, government workers, and the list goes on and on of how the taxes we pay are used in innumerable ways. What is seen is the employment of thousands upon thousands of people, but what is not seen is the dependence on government and entitlement mentality that grows with every new program that is instituted. For example, if you look at the public school system of today, teachers and the UEA are always very hostile about demanding more money to fund their schools and programs. There are ‘No Excuses’ for suppressing the raising of taxes. The schools want every child in the free lunch program in order for their school to get more funding. And with every child who qualifies for free lunch you also are enrolled in Title 1. This is to ensure that ‘No child is left behind’. Ironically, the testing scores incrementally drop over time and therefore a new test is devised and administered. Real learning doesn’t occur, so there is a demand for more money in order to fund more programs in order to purchase newer technology, etc. This is just a small example of how government, taxes and programs do not solve problems but actually originate the problems from the beginning. They are the cause but the effects are out of control.
Bastiat’s political economic philosophy is based upon sound principles which if applied gives a firm foundation for growth and prosperity. A nation down to an individual can expect an increase with compounded interest by practicing the laws of frugality and restraint. Like a seed that is planted, we see the flower and enjoy the fruits thereof. However, we need to recognize the time and effort that it took to develop the essential roots, support system and the vital photosynthesis that occurs. That is what is not seen. Foresight gives one the patience to wait until the time is right to enjoy the fruit. Copyright L.L. Williams