Something I will never understand about conservatives

[Matty]

Economic conservatives/classical liberals warn against planned economies because they claim it leads to shortages, lack of incentive, etc. But isn't capitalism basically just one giant shortage for the poor? If you can't afford the equilibrium price of something (the price where supply and demand are equal), then you do not get that item. This is especially horrifying in food, healthcare, and housing.

[ElectionsGuy]

I would consider myself a conservative with a few libertarian meanings.

Economics is where I have the most passion. I am a huge fan of Hazlitt, Bastiat, Friedman, etc.

What is the difference between being oppressed by the "evil" government and being oppressed by private, for-profit institutions that will NOT serve you unless you have deep pockets?

But isn't capitalism basically just one giant shortage for the poor? If you can't afford the equilibrium price of something (the price where supply and demand are equal), then you do not get that item. This is especially horrifying in food, healthcare, and housing.

Somebody changed their views quick.

[Deus Naturae]

The view you describe is not unique to "conservative" economists. That price controls create shortages is a widely accepted truth of economics. The price mechanism will not provide goods to every single person, but distorting that mechanism by setting prices below the market equilibrium is only going to make things worse.

[AggregateDemand]

Even without minimum wage protections or agriculture subsidies, an unskilled laborer could purchase a loaf of bread with about 20 minutes of labor. Clothing and water are also relatively cheap and abundant.

Human desire is unlimited so we will always deal with "scarcity", but that doesn't mean goods and services are actually scarce relative to our needs. Quite the opposite, in fact.

Citizens of the developed world are economically stagnant because they've ruined their real estate sectors. Shelter is a basic human necessity, but housig costs continue to drag down all classes of people, except the elites.

[Potatoe]

I still can't believe that after a shoot ton of Shootings, they are still "I MUH PROTECT MAH GUNS!", oh wait, they need to get NRA backing, ugh, sometimes I hate the American system.

[Marnetmar]

Conservative economic policies are something I can sort of understand the logic behind considering I was a self-described libertarian at one point, but what really confuses the hell out of me is socons. I'm starting to think our brains are pretty much wired differently.

[WillTheMormon]

Economic conservatives/classical liberals warn against planned economies because they claim it leads to shortages, lack of incentive, etc. But isn't capitalism basically just one giant shortage for the poor? If you can't afford the equilibrium price of something (the price where supply and demand are equal), then you do not get that item. This is especially horrifying in food, healthcare, and housing.

Completely agree with you. Never understood fiscal conservatism myself either. The government can't ignore the poor. It's just common sense.

[MurrayBannerman]

Economic conservatives/classical liberals warn against planned economies because they claim it leads to shortages, lack of incentive, etc. But isn't capitalism basically just one giant shortage for the poor? If you can't afford the equilibrium price of something (the price where supply and demand are equal), then you do not get that item. This is especially horrifying in food, healthcare, and housing.

Completely agree with you. Never understood fiscal conservatism myself either. The government can't ignore the poor. It's just common sense.

How these are mutually exclusive, I will never understand.

Not to mention, that's more social policy.

[Maxwell]

I still can't believe that after a shoot ton of Shootings, they are still "I MUH PROTECT MAH GUNS!", oh wait, they need to get NRA backing, ugh, sometimes I hate the American system.

Yeah, damn democracy!