Robert J. Samuelson uses his first column of the new year to warn busybody lawmakers about policies that could have long-term negative consequences for the American people.
Samuelson worries that productivity growth is slowing.
Although government can’t easily dictate higher productivity, its policies may perversely favor lower productivity. What’s politically expedient today?a dubious tax break, a lazy budget deficit, an expensive regulation?may be economically corrosive tomorrow.
You could say he’s recommending that Congress consider the “unseen” effects of their proposed policies, along with the foreseeable effects.
