Clarity

Jonathan Chait did us all a huge favor clarifying the difference in political philosophy between conservatives and liberals. Contrary to popular conservative talking points, liberals are not socialists. Liberals support and advocate a market based economy where the harshest outcomes are mitigated by a small amount of downward redistribution of income.

Conservatives, to the contrary, and as economic plan put forth by Republican Representative Paul Ryan amply demonstrates, oppose any mitigation of capitalist outcomes by a forced downward redistribution of income.

Now, there are lots of arguments to be made regarding which is the more defensible vision - so nothing is settled by this clear distinction. And our initial inclination to pick one side or the other is surely based more on temperment than on arguments, evidence, or experience.

Still, as clarity regarding where each side is coming from is essential to any meaningful discussion of these issues, I say "here here."

Joe H.