Economic Platform

Conservative Economic Beliefs
Most Republicans falsely believe economic benefits are maximized with as little "interference" from government as possible. "Interference" includes everything from regulations to taxes to active government involvement in the economy. While Republicans can occasionally be persuaded to support popular economic "interference" if their re-election depends on it, the Libertarian, Constitution, and Tea Party movements advocate an extremist approach against any government intervention regardless of the circumstances.

However, a completely free market without any "interference" results in high costs, low living standards, and corporate ownership over government. The reasons for these results are quite simple.

In free markets businesses are allowed to grow without restrictions. Republicans believe the market will govern itself; businesses will engage in practices and price products at favorable rates to customers because doing so will give them an upper hand against competitors. Over time however, competition will die out as "better" businesses outperform their competitors. With less competition, remaining businesses are able to grow more and take over increased market share. Incentives for profit go up and focus on the customer drops. The market naturally moves towards a monopoly in which one company controls an entire market. Republicans point out an economy of scale, in which larger businesses are better able to control costs due to mass production, reduces cost for the business and the consumer. Unfortunately, in a monopoly situation - or even in a situation with only a handful of large businesses - companies can charge whatever they want, pay whatever they want, and serve - or not serve - whoever they want. There would be little or no competition, meaning no matter what the business does there would be no penalty for engaging in unsound or dubious business practices.

Ultimately, in the long-run a free market always naturally results in fewer choices, lower wages and benefits, and higher prices and costs to the consumer. Local communites and Main Streets are destroyed. Freedoms are limited not by government, but by the market itself. Wealth accumulates in the hands of the few at the top, while the remainder of the population grows poorer and poorer. Government intervention is required to prevent this situation, but Republicans - often well connected and funded by large businesses, particularly those on Wall Street - oppose such intervention. House GOP leader John Boehner even wants a ban on all new regulation.

Republicans and other conservatives who deny these results will occur conveniently ignore the fact we have already experienced an unfettered free market. The early twentieth century exhibits countless examples of market monopolies, price settings, poor living conditions, and economic slavery to large businesses. Republicans support returning to that living situation, and they label everyone who supports government intervention as a socialist, communist, Marxist, fascist, or some other wildly inaccurate catch phrase. The fact is complete government control also fails and almost nobody wants it. Democrats recognize that prosperity requires a balance between a free market and government intervention to prevent abuses. Republicans and other conservatives prefer market abuses and inequality.

Economic Stimulus and Recovery
Republicans publicly claim the economic stimulus package was a waste of money and has not worked - but in private they admit the stimulus DID work[http:// [dead link]]. Jobs have been saved. The economy is better off than it would have been without it; if the stimulus had not been passed then we would have entered a second Great Depression with unemployment as high as 16.5%. The Federal Reserve notes that economic recovery is steady, and July 2010 was the best monthly gain in stocks for a year while the second quarter of 2010 posted continued economic growth. Additionally, the nonpartisan CBO notes the stimulus package added $200 billion in economic activity during the second quarter of 2010 while adding millions of jobs.

Further, Republicans willingly take federal money even when they say they're against it. Alaska for instance, receives $5.76 from the government for every $1 paid to it. Former Alaska Senator Ted Stevens was well-known for his earmarks and pork spending.

Republicans say they support small business, but Obama proposed a bill to help small businesses that Republicans refused to support. They refused to support it even though the bill contained items Republicans have wanted for years.

Republicans complain Obama has not created new jobs, but the evidence shows otherwise. Even though they insist jobs and the economy are at the top of their agenda, when they talk about their priorities amongst themselves they talk about jailing journalists, abolishing the Department of Education, opting out of Social Security, and dismantling the EPA instead.

Job Growth, Employment
Under the Obama administration, job growth has resumed and held fairly steady; July 2012 marked the 17th consecutive month of prviate sector job growth.

Republicans often claim they have brought up jobs bills in the U.S. House and that the Democrat-controlled Senate blocks them. However, those "jobs" bills will do nothing for job creation in the short-term, and even in the long-term their impact is questionable at best.

Minimum Wage

 * Republicans in Congress refused to increase the minimum wage with Obama as president, but 65 of them voted for an increase when Republican President Bush was in office.
 * Republican Marsha Blackburn of Tennessee opposes a higher minimum wage, saying it reduces young workers' ability to enter workforce.  She cites her own experience earning $2.15/hour in Mississippi ($14.18/hour in 2013 dollars), but at that time the minimum wage was $1.60/hour ($10.56/hour in 2013 dollars).  In other words, she thinks keeping the minimum wage on track with inflation keeps teenagers out of the work force, even though she was a teenager in the workforce when the minimum wage was higher.