Radical leftists and astroturfed union members have taken to the streets to protest… well, something. Their message isn’t coherent—whether it’s anti-war, anti-capitalism, or anti-American—but it’s clear that most of these people blame free enterprise for our current economic woes.
In their sixties-esque fashion, these protesters are blaming the establishment, a.k.a “The Man,” for their problems. The problem is they have the wrong establishment.
Instead of blaming Wall Street, these protesters should be upset at the Obama Administration’s policies. “The Man” isn’t Wall Street; “The Man” is big government.
Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, and the Federal Reserve forwarded policies to sell houses to people who couldn’t afford them, causing the housing bubble. Since the bubble burst, the steady stream of government spending and regulation has sucked money out of the private sector and kept us in an economic slump.
Big government is central to the current problems we face: 9.1 percent unemployment, 19 percent youth unemployment, and $14.6 trillion in national debt. Instead of blaming capitalism, protesters should be blaming Washington.
If students are protesting free enterprise on your campus, counter-protest using Young America’s Foundation’s “I LOVE CAPITALISM” posters. Ask them: Was Steve Jobs an evil capitalist? What about CEOs Jeffery Immelt and Warren Buffet, who work with the White House? Start the debate on campus, and set the record straight.
Order these free posters by emailing your address to pcoyle@yaf.org.
