I was able to attend the Free-Market Forum weekend before last. FMF is a group of Christian professors gathering to learn more about free-market principles and economics. While I do not think it was part of his planned  talk, one of the speakers said that Republicans and Democrats reminded him of Coke and Pepsi – the basic formula is very close but the marketing is very different. This statement reflects very closely what I see in our political candidates.

Now admittedly, I am very biased in the direction of economic issues. Political economy is what I think about; it is the framework in which I analyze most of what I think about. I know that there are very definitive differences between the Republican and Democratic parties in some ways. For instance, the appointment of judges can be very get disparate at the federal level between the two political parties. However, in economic issues it really does not matter if we have a Republican or Democrat in office. Both are very centrist and tend to make the same choices when confronted with the same options when in office. This diagram illustrates the way I think about the differences between Republicans and Democrats on national economic issues.

Republican: “I love crony capitalism and I support the businesses that supported me. What sort of favors do you need, O’ campaign contributor?”

Democrat: “I love crony capitalism and I support the businesses that supported me. What sort of favors do you need, O’ campaign contributor?”

I am stepping out of my comfort zone a little here. Several of the regular contributors to Bereans at the Gate are political experts. So, how am I wrong about the economic differences between Republicans and Democrats at the federal level?