SUPPLY AND Demand.

The solution to all our political problems is quite simple; so simple we cannot seem to get it right.
First, we Americans must be in agreement as to what services we want government to provide. Second, we have to agree to pay for those services. Third, we must demand that government provide those services in the most cost effective way. Piece of cake!

First, a consensus of what services the government should provide is near impossible because we are essentially a country of whiners when it comes to taxes. Hell will freeze over before a majority agrees to pay a reasonable fee for the services they receive. And getting the government to provide services in the most cost effective way is like trying to get a stone to float on water.

In the fall of 2011, I read a survey that asked the question: What are the two most important social programs the government provides? The answer was Social Security and Medicare. When the question was asked “how much should we pay for Medicare” over 50% of the respondents said “NOTHING.” Simply put over 50% were in favor of the program but had little desire to pay for it. We can only assume those who said “pay nothing” were talking out of both sides of their mouths.

When is the last time any of us picked up a loaf of bread at the supermarket and refused to pay for it or dickered over the price? Never! You see, that’s how capitalism works; there is no free lunch let alone a free loaf of bread. Now, if you believe the bread to be overpriced and enough people stop buying it, trust me, the price will come down—it’s called supply and demand.

It’s the same with our government: we supply the money and have every right to demand the same results as any other services we purchase.

But in all our wisdom, we have two opposing factions in this country that keep us on a slippery partisan slope: those in favor of useful government programs and those who believe anything that smacks of socialism is vile: that people should pull themselves up by their bootstraps and make their own way in life. Wouldn’t it be wonderful if that were possible in a time when 8-12 percent (depending on where you live) of the population cannot find steady jobs, salaries are stagnant, employee benefits are being cut, prices on everything are up, and the irresponsible, inexcusable actions of the greedy financial industry has run thousands upon thousands of families out of their homes as if these families were nothing more than sheep to be sheared.

What we fail to remember is that there is safety in numbers: supply and demand. Far too many op-out of the process because they’re too busy working or looking for work, or their lives are just so full they have little time to keep track of what the politicians, Wall Street, and corporations are getting away with.

And yet, there is hope. Every once in awhile people actually get it and come together in Large Numbers to make their Voices Heard either in support of a petition they sign or a march they take part in (as in the Trayvon Martin tragedy, which now has placed “stand your ground” laws under scrutiny).

Thanks to technology and social media it is far easier these days to organize. Simply sign on to political organizations that share your views and prepare to be deluged with emails asking for your support. In the quiet of your own home you get to chose whether to participate or not. The dilemma, however, is all too often people simply hit “delete” because they are “too busy” to be bothered. Okay, your choice, it’s a free country, but be prepared to live with the results many of which you may not like.

In November we will chose a president and other elected officials. That’s a form of supply and demand because we actually get to make our voices heard in large numbers. And yet, how many eligible people will chose not to participate? You can be sure they are the ones who will complain the loudest later.

The bottom line is, as a nation we have to decide what services we want our government to provide, agree to pay for those services, and demand the government provide those services in the most cost effective way. To achieve that we must show up in large numbers not only on Election Day but often in between and make our voices heard. It is equally vital that we take note of elected officials who fail to respond to the majority. They should be booted out of office at the earliest possible opportunity just as we would any other unacceptable service provider.

Supply and demand—it works both in our private lies and our political lives.

In closing I would like to mention that I recently received an email from a reader suggesting that I approach things too simplistically. That may be so. But it has always been my belief that simple common sense UN-complicates the complicated. Common sense thinking allows us to approach our challenges with an open mind, a willingness to listen to others and band together using the simple concept of supply and demand.

Keep it simple—it works.
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Prior to turning to writing full time, Robert J. Emery produced, directed, and authored feature films and television programs and is the recipient of over 100 industry awards for his film & TV productions as well as his first novel IN THE REALM OF EDEN available in hardcover and Kindle on Amazon.com.

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