New Common Sense: Cutting Prices, Shuttering Stores

July 23, 2013    |   Discover more at Heritage's First Principles webpage Cutting Prices, Shuttering Stores In Washington, the federal government isn’t the only dysfunctional game in town. When faced with the opportunity to help the district’s poorest residents gain unprecedented access to affordable retail stores, the city council instead colluded with labor unions and local retailers to stifle the competition promised by Wal-Mart’s famous low prices. While Wal-Mart will move elsewhere, the crony council leaves low-income Washingtonians stuck with fewer choices and higher prices. The Magic of Expanding Regulations The U.S. Department of Agriculture recently sent a letter to a bunch of magicians telling them they needed to draft a “disaster plan” for the rabbit they pull out of a hat. They must satisfy the federal government that they’re prepared to protect their rabbit from fires, floods, tornados, power failures and so forth. It’s an example of what happens when Congress drafts vague laws, and then allows unelected bureaucrats to expand their scope and reach. Competition Builds Better States Part of the brilliance of the American founding is that the Constitution effectively created the world’s first free-trade zone. During a recent Heritage event, the authors of the report “Rich States, Poor States” noted that, because citizens could move easily from state to state, the individual states would forever be engaged in a race to implement the best policies. Effectively, a race to the top. Quote of the Week "I consider the foundation of the Constitution as laid on this ground that ‘all powers not delegated to the United States, by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the states, are reserved to the states or to the people.’ To take a single step beyond the boundaries thus specially drawn around the powers of Congress, is to take possession of a boundless field of power." - Thomas Jefferson, 1791 For more quotes, visit westillholdthesetruths.org     About The Heritage Foundation Founded in 1973, The Heritage Foundation is a research and educational institute — a think tank — whose mission is to formulate and promote conservative public policies based on the principles of free enterprise, limited government, individual freedom, traditional American values, and a strong national defense. The Heritage Foundation | 214 Massachusetts Ave NE, Washington, DC 20002 | 202.546.4400 | heritage.org