We all claim to support free enterprise. Well, most of us do, at least those of us who aren’t college faculty and/or members of the Obama administration. But do we really? More importantly, does business support free enterprise? My answer, based on today’s local news here in Austin, is no, not really.
The local newspaper today reported on a hotel construction project losing its city subsidies over a failure to pay a “prevailing wage.” Apparently, prevailing wages are the new attempt by the Left to ensure “economic justice.” As you can see, I’m not too supportive of such regulation of the market. However, here’s the rub. I don’t favor the government getting involved in the affairs of business. But if business comes to government looking for a subsidy, also known as a handout, then you can guarantee its going to come with lots of strings. It’s like borrowing money from a parent. You’ll get your money, but you know that your parents will also put conditions on the loan.
In other words, don’t go saying you’re for the free market, then suck up government subsidies, then complain when you’re held to your end of the bargain. If you want free enterprise, that means you don’t have to worry about the government interfering in your business. However, that also means tglove you shouldn’t get any sweetheart deals from the government either. And if you do make a deal with the government, you should expect to be held to it.
“He who pays the piper calls the tune” as they say.