Obama Has Misdiagnosed America's Income Inequality Problem

[See an opinion slide show of 10 wasteful stimulus projects.]

If the economy were allowed to function organically, there would be little reason for people to waste resources on "high-priced lobbyists and unlimited campaign contributions." There would be nothing for them to buy, no matter how much money at their disposal. Wealth would cease to give an unfair political advantage to those who possess it, and inequality would once again be a function of work ethic and ability alone.

It is only by intervening to choose winners and losers—by trying to substitute the judgment of the few in positions of power for the judgment of the many in an open marketplace—that a government cedes influence to those with the most to spend.

A more active state is not a solution to the problem of increased inequality; rather, increasing inequality is a side effect of our activist state. If we as a society are concerned about a situation where the rich get richer while the poor stay poor, we need only demand that our government stop handing out favors, and then watch as special interests, and the inequalities they effect, fade away into things of the past.

• See a slide show of Mort Zuckerman's 5 Ways to Create More Jobs.
• Read about 7 groups with reason to protest.
• Read the U.S. News debate on unemployment benefits.

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