Cafe Hayek — where orders emerge

Cafe Hayek — where orders emerge: "Yesterday’s presidential debate further exposed Messrs. Obama’s and Romney’s economic illiteracy (“China a Punching Bag in U.S. Presidential Debate,” Oct. 17).  Each man insists that America’s economy can be harmed by inexpensive imports – in other words, harmed by opportunities for voluntary exchanges that lower Americans’ cost of living.

By promising to raise taxes on Americans who buy Chinese-made goods, Mr. Romney again promised to break his campaign promise to not raise taxes.  That he is unaware of the contradiction isn’t promising.

Mr. Obama is no better.  He bragged that he “saved a thousand jobs” with his “tough” trade action that – by raising taxes on Americans who buy Chinese-made tires – ensured “that China was not flooding our domestic market with cheap tires.”"


'via Blog this'

I, of course, agree that the economic arguments made in the debate were less than stellar economics. Maybe they believe what they say. But I like to think this is more a product of the candidates saying what they believe the public wants to hear--specifically what the swing voters want to hear.

Should be blame the candidates for being illiterate, or the voters who decide elections?

Maybe I'll post this at Cafe Hayek.