Swing and the Herd

Arnold Kling and Tyler Cowan both have commented today on:
Willpower and the Optimal Control of Visceral Urges.
I should not comment on the Article, having read only the Abstract (too cheap to pay the $5 online fee for Download). The Abstract, at least, sounded very realistic and viable in its assumption: Willpower is a depleting resource. People simply tire of self-discipline, and when absent of exterior discipline, will soon lose enthusium with any denial program. I know I eat too much and too often.

I immediately translate knowledge of individual behavior unto group behavior. Alternately stated: What does this mean in the Political context? Conservative Republicans, Neocons, Libertarians, and fundamentalist Economists have attempted to place the American people on a Welfare diet for 6 years. Social programs starve for funds, and has been an ongoing condition since the first George W. Bush years. What they received for this starvation was initial meager Tax reductions replaced with State and Local taxation, and watching the boon award granted to Corporations and the Wealthy. Single Proprietors often watch Corporate competitors award Stock Options and Bonuses in excess to what they can pay their Employees in salary. Why? Infamous Corporate lobbying efforts grant injuries Tax concessions which are discriminatory. The rest of Us gaze on the Wealthy spending more and more money which used to be their share of the Tax Burden.

The next Administration will find heavy demand, I am afraid, for an expansion of Welfare measures; this occuring whether the Administration is Republican or Democratic, likewise for the Congress. Americans tire of seeing money leave their accounts bound elsewhere, be it to the Government, foreign Suppliers, or American Corporations shifting their assets to foreign shores. A NYTimes article today highlighted a facet of the current administration which angers the American people: the hypocritical passage of legislation into law to please Constituents, but refusal to enforce provisions of the law to please Special Interests or saite Bush desires. There is an ill wind blowing for the sitting Congress, even if George W. can head to Europe with his formalized graft. lgl