Democracy and Power 113: Vote Trading

“I’ll vote for your legislation, if you’ll vote for mine.” This is never said in public, but occurs constantly. Regularly, the leadership requests legislation, and a politician agrees to the request if the leadership includes his project. Politicians trade votes for their respective benefit, which is seldom for the benefit of most Americans.

Political insiders call this “log rolling.” The expense to the American public is enormous. This is a blatant taking of property, which incrementally reduces everyone’s wealth, security and freedom.