The Market is Not God

Republicans treat the Market as if it was something sacred, like a God unto itself. They worship the “invisible hand” that moves through the Market as if it was God’s hand, dispensing riches or ruin upon mortals in a vast pageant of divine reward and punishment. “Thou shalt not meddle in the Market” is their 11th Commandment, for the Market is a just and omniscient God. Those who sin before the Market shall know Hell, while those who are pure in economic deed and spirit shall prevail. It is blasphemy to advocate secular intervention in the Market. How can we mortals be wiser, or more just? Such is the Market Theology of Republicans.

It is willful self-delusion. The Market is fallible, it can be tricked and defrauded. It is without morals or compassion. It is indifferent to the plights of the populace, and it destroys good people along with the evil. There is nothing divine about it.

The Market is really no more than a tool devised by humans to enhance their survival and pleasure. It is no more sacred than a hammer. A hammer can be useful in many situations, but it is not useful in every situation. Neither is The Market. Furthermore, people have created different kinds of hammers to fit different tasks. There are “claw” hammers, sledgehammers, rubber mallets and gavels. Can you imagine someone declaring that there should be only one form of hammer, and it should not be changed to suit any special circumstance or need? It makes as little sense to declare that The Market should only take one form, and should never be adjusted to meet specific social needs and circumstances.

Alex Budarin