My friend Don Boudreaux submitted this insightful letter to the editor of the Washington Times:
Editor, Washington Times
Jeff Jacoby rightly invokes the wisdom of George Washington to counsel a healthy suspicion of politicians (“Poor, poor, pitiful pols,” June 8). A more contemporary figure, the late Harvard economist Joseph Schumpeter, described even more succinctly the nature of politicians: “A statesman is the criminal who works with phrases instead of with the burglar?s jimmy.”*
It would be wise to keep Schumpeter’s understanding in mind during this election year – one that will be especially full of soaring phrases designed to mesmerize us into submission to those who want more of our money and freedoms.
