John, like your second guest on the KFI show I am not apt to blame Greenspan for our current troubles. I realize that your esteemed co-host disagrees, but I see Chinese exports and our consumerism leading to a great global expansion that is evidence of greater economic efficiency on a world-wide scale. However, I fear that Capitalism in now imperilled by oponents on all sides.

It seems like every day we hear a report on another few hundred billions of dollars proposed as either a spending bill from Congress, bank rescue plan, or some new ill-conceived attempt at stimulus. Yet, unemployment continues to worsen and consumer spending remains flat-lined. The Democrats in Congress and our still wet behind the ears President, in my most favorable analysis, seem intent to follow a central planning motif in hopes of solving this crisis. Anyone who understands how Capitalism works and appreciates the lofty heights of success that it has fostered over the past four decades knows that the current crisis will only further deepen or linger far longer than necessary thanks to these anti-market measures.

Alan Greenspan has recently theorized that our current troubles stemmed from the unbridled success of Capitalism on a global scale that led to the sharp snap back, like a caterpillar bunching up in the middle as it marches along, that we are seeing now reaping such woe. A proper understanding and appreciation for this success is necessary to see us through this world-wide economic hiccup with limited long term damage. Lacking such, though, the Democratic efforts are likely doomed to failure. Accordingly, the Republicans (or anyone willing to take up Capitalism’s sagging banner) need to offer a consistent message, criticism, and solutions that would serve first and foremost to bolster the marketplace and thus the engine of Capitalism. All that we are enduring, even the bailout missteps, can be overcome through the bounty that periodically floods this country from a growing economy.

Every dream that the President and the nation have for the future of America (and for that matter the world): missions to Mars, massive infra-structure improvements, universal broadband, a space elevator, a missile shield, etc. all will be possible via the Crosses-like revenue brought in by a dynamic and growing private sector/market based economy. As the undisputed leader of the world economy, now mostly through our consumerism and high tech innovation, we hold the keys to global liberation and liberalization as market/export driven middle classes sprout up even in rotting dictatorships. It is this rising middle class, like the one that was surging in China before this current crisis, that is destined to foster true political change, democratization and global harmony. I see this as our country’s responsibility to the world and as such it must be consistently and competently articulated by the loyal opposition party and our pundits.

With each failure of Democratic policy and ideology there must be a constant drumbeat of cheery market based answers until we successfully build a consensus through the nation. We must not be sidetracked by marginally important issues like deficits and union rules. Our air time in the mainstream media is precious, fleeting, and not to be squandered by a mixed message. The deficit and freedoms in the work place are worthy issues in normal times, but the desperation that will soon result from the Pelosi-Reid-Obama failures need to be answered succinctly and uniformly. Simply put a growing private sector economy will cure all that ails us and, in turn, the world. We need to project a uniform attitude of quiet confidence that comes with our Capitalism restoring solutions.

Representative Ryan from Wisconsin has put forth a reasonable start for a Republican alternative, one that lowers the barriers to job creation and risk taking. These principles have been the fuel and bedrock foundation for American style Capitalism from the very first, before we were even a nation. His plan and principles, particularly cutting marginal tax and corporate tax rates, need to be loudly echoed by all Republicans blessed with any air-time.

The economy is like a giant deciduous tree with millions of branches and leaves of all shapes, sizes, sturdiness and health. The leaves represent the simple beauty of individuals coming together in a mutually beneficial agreement exchanging labor (physical, mental or the financial equivalent) for a means of compensation (monetary, stock, or merchandise). As these transactions are fostered the whole tree grows and becomes healthier with new trunk branches sprouting up and spreading out to meet the needs and desires of the marketplace. The role of government should be to guard the health of this tree and not threaten a single leave in any way. Now income and corporate tax at any levels does threaten these leaves, branches and trunks, probably to an unacceptable extent for encouraging productivity.

A better means of funding the needs of government would be a consumption tax combined with a rigid ban on any income based tax. Unfortunately, the course being pursued by the administration and Congress via higher taxes foolishly further weakens the tree just when it is dealing with a politically induced illness. That is why the Republicans needs to be the source of the medicine that will nurse the great economic tree back to health. We must make sure that the nation will turn toward our free market ideas when they sour on the alternatives. I believe that this is possible, despite the poor economic schooling generations have received and continue to endure, but only if our message is a clear, unanimous, and unambiguous one.