Brad Paisley’s New Career as an Economist?
Can country music teach something about economics – specifically, the economics of trade and immigration?
Recession, fear, ignorance and blind political ideology tend not to produce the best economic policies, especially regarding trade and immigration.
Special interests often complain about foreign-made goods coming into the country, and foreigners – whether immigrants or residents of other nations – taking away jobs.
Various politicians pander to such fears, of course. For example, as a U.S. senator, Barack Obama voted against the Dominican Republic-Central America Free Trade Agreement. As a presidential candidate, Obama called for reworking the North American Free Trade Agreement and played up his opposition to pending trade deals with Colombia, South Korea and Panama. And as president, while jettisoning the protectionist rhetoric, Obama has done nothing to advance free trade.
Could country music star Brad Paisley succeed where economists have failed? The title song of his new album is “American Saturday Night.” This rockin’ country tune co-written by Paisley does a superb job of highlighting the benefits of trade and immigration by illustrating their contributions to everyday life in the United States.
Read the full article at The Debate Room