interesting look at Barack Obama

[Universe Prince]

http://commentisfree.guardian.co.uk/daniel_koffler/2008/01/substance_not_style.html

Similarly, while Obama's support of immigration and immigrants undoubtedly derives in part from straightforward internationalism and humanitarianism - Obama's lead foreign policy advisor is Samantha Power, author of A Problem from Hell, under whose guidance Obama has directed far more attention to the Darfur genocide than any other candidate - it's likely that part of Obama's embrace of immigration stems from a Goolsbeean view of free movement of labour as inextricable from and essential to a free global market. Perhaps it goes without saying that Obama's belief in freedom in labour markets and freedom in capital markets, sets him apart from the Republican field as well as the Democrats. Under ordinary circumstances, one would expect Republicans at least to respect free trade, but alas, they are inconsistent at best.... [...] If this approach needs a name, call it left-libertarianism. Advancements in behavioural economics, public and rational choice theory, and game theory provide us with an opportunity to attend to inequality without crippling the economy, enhancing the coercive power of the state, or infringing on personal liberty (at least not to any extent greater than the welfare state already does; and as much as my libertarian friends might wish otherwise, the welfare state isn't going anywhere). The cost - higher marginal tax rates - is real, but eminently justified by the benefits.