OPINION:
As Democrats began to cast their votes in the 2016 primaries, it became clear that the voice of change coming from Sen. Bernie Sanders was resonating with many people. He spoke of free government health care, inexpensive college and an increase of the minimum wage — all good ideas to a confused and idealistic voter.
While the Sanders campaign was almost entertaining to watch, it brought up a serious question about government. What is the point of diminishing the size of government when Mr. Sanders could give us all these nice things? Despite the widespread skepticism of his ideas, there is a chance that Mr. Sanders could have improved the lives of millions of Americans by increasing the size of government under his control.
But what would have happened when Mr. Sanders died? Would all of the government power wielded by a single man fall into the arms of someone as great? It seems the young supporters of Sanders-style socialism are too eager to relieve themselves of the personal power they claim by marching on Washington. Are they not reaping the fruits of a small government while advocating for a contradictory socialist ideology?
Many Sanders supporters want a dramatic increase in the minimum wage. The irony is that they also take a very cynical approach toward large corporations. Yet these economic giants are significantly more resilient to an increase in the minimum wage than smaller businesses. When you up the minimum wage, laborers become less accessible to local companies, which get replaced by larger ones. Unfortunately, raising the minimum wage is not a shortcut to economic equality, but instead is a shortcut to an economic dystopia.
In Greek mythology, Sirens were dangerous halfbird, half-woman creatures that sang irresistible music into the ears of sailors. And such is socialism: that familiar Siren that pulls the most vulnerable of us away from the real policies put forth by both parties.
LANE KOISTINEN
Woodland, Wash.
Please read our comment policy before commenting.