The Danger of Populism

Seeing as I work full time, I really do not have time to adequately contribute to this forum. However, after two posts within five days assailing topics ranging from traditional values, to economic policy and tax reform (common theme: populism), I felt compelled to pick up the virtual pen.

Populism is not so much an ideology as it is a tactic, wherein the interests of "common people" (the populace) are contrasted with those of the supposed "elite" in the context of (1) painting a picture of society's alleged problems, and /or (2) proposing various political, social and /or economic solutions. What makes it interesting is that it is not limited strictly to the left or the right. What makes it dangerous is that it is more often than not divorced from a considered approach toward solving anything.

On the left, the recent debate over nationalized health care ("Obamacare") provides a great example. Literally for the past century, the great "progressive" dream has been to socialize medicine, thereby enacting "universal" coverage whereby every American might, in theory, have access to low/no-cost health care. And so it was, literally from the moment he took office, President Obama (along with the Democrat controlled Congress) set out to make that great promise a reality, preaching the virtues of "expanded coverage" and "lower costs." However, simple questions [such as "How do you increase coverage (40 million "uninsured") and lower costs without either (1) increasing the number of doctors or (2) rationing treatment?"] went unanswered.

On the right, the debate over "term limits" for representatives at all levels of government provides another great example. Due to the inherently conservative principle of limited government, those on the right (more often than those on the left) often find themselves exasperated at the seeming incompetence / lethargy / corruption of their representatives. This often leads to calls for term limits. A great idea in theory? Surely. "Citizen legislators," they say. "The way it should be," they proclaim. However, legitimate questions [such as "What about the invaluable experience Senator X gains from his years engaged in the legislative process?" and "What if (insert legislative body) has no problem doing the people's business in its current configuration?"] remain unanswered. See the San Diego County Board of Supervisors for an ongoing battle over term limits. See the California Legislature for an example of how term limits have failed.

The bottom line is that most issues are rarely as simple as they seem on the surface, and without a mature discussion on the merits, bad things happen. Reasonable people can - and should - disagree, but rash decisions based on anger and /or emotion are how bad policy is made.