My mentors in economics are the late Milton Friedman, Nobel Laureate in Economics and founder of the Chicago School of Economics, and his widow, Rose. I read their book, "Free to Choose" and the sequel, "Tyranny of the Status Quo" many years ago. They were easy to read and understand. They described the reasons that the Founding Fathers limited the role of the Federal Gov't. illustrating that decisions are made in Washington and in state capitals for political reasons and not for business reasons. This always leads to mediocrity at best and a reduction in our freedom to choose what we buy, where we go, and the prices for goods and services that we pay.
I think that this filters even down to city politics. I believe the city council should do the job that it was formed to do and not try to expand its influence in ways like economically inducing a grocer to move into our west side. I am not in favor of spending tax money or giving tax preferences to any specific businesses within our city. This automatically makes winners and losers out of competitors and of customers and taxpayers. This also would worsen the divisions we already see in the town and pit neighborhood against neighborhood. These would result from the law of unintended consequences. Let business people figure out best how to serve their customers and provide the services at prices that the market will bear.
I believe the solutions to these problems are structural and require more than a band aid. Lower taxes benefit all businesses and citizens, additional entrances and exits to our main highways will increase customer traffic, and cooperation on the part of the city council and Planniing and Zoning Commission within the provisions of our codes and ordinances with business operators will improve the business environment for customers and businessmen alike. These are not quick fixes, but they will require hard work and time to accomplish. Nevertheless they will work here like they've worked in other states and cities and their effect will endure.
