In my political discussions I have come across some very intelligent "progressives" who habitually fail to see the implications of their positions. I recall several discussions in which one of the most thoughtful individuals I know expressed the positions in which they:
1. resisted the expansion of legalized gambling, claiming that it was a "poor tax."
2. supported Los Angeles's ban on new fast food restaurants, claiming that they were detrimental to the poor.
3. opposed the introduction of a voluntary voucher program in poor neighborhoods.
4. opposed allowing poor people the choice to shop at and / or work at Walmart.
The implication of these positions are that poor people are unable to make intelligent decisions and should have their choices curtailed by "enlightened progressives."
Freedom is a prerequisite for real progress; rich and poor alike must be allowed to learn from their bad choices and prosper from their good choices. To limit the choices of the poor is to treat them as pets or as a means to enact "progressive" policies.
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