The Cost of a Free Lunch

David Cay Johnston on how the government protects the privileged

Brian Doherty from the March 2008 issue

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Johnston: There is definitely a moral tone to the book. I cite Adam Smith, Andrew Mellon, and the Bible on the proposition that one of the most morally offensive things is to take from those with less to enrich those already rich. I have no objection to people getting wealthy. Just get wealthy off hard work and enterprise, not getting government to pass rules no one knows about that reach into my pocket.

Reason: You present a variation on campaign finance reform, something you think can address the problems of government being overly solicitous of the wealthy.

Johnston: I was inspired by the franking privilege. Have all the costs and expenses of being a member of Congress publicly funded—an unlimited expense account essentially, but with complete disclosure, including whom they met with and the substance of the conversation. Then there would be a rule that says, now that we paid all costs, including for keeping up two households, if you take so much as a free shot of whiskey, you go to prison. Zero tolerance for politicians.

Reason: Studying example after example of government working to prop up the powerful, do you ever just throw up your hands and decide that government is inherently the problem?

Johnston: We recognize that people abuse power, so we limit it; we put in checks and balances. I think a big problem is many Americans are giving up on democracy. I never throw my hands up about these problems. If I did, that would be saying that I don’t think this ingenious idea, the Constitution, can work. And I do.