| Show THE VOICE OF BUSINESS How Much Change ChangeD D Do We Really Want By Arch Booth Executive Vice President President dent of pf the Chamber of Commerce of the United States American seekers office-seekers like to run on ona ona a promise of change There are two good reasons for this First anyone tryIng trying trying try try- ing to unseat an incumbent must favor change otherwise there would be no reason to throw out the incumbent Second Second Second Sec Sec- ond and more important American voters like the concept of change At least they like it in the abstract BUT DO we really favor change Or do we use change as a symbol representing representing rep rep- resenting the conquest of all our discontents discontents dis dis- contents Looking at it realistically political change cannot solve all of our problems no matter how much we might approve the direction it takes The couple have just as unhappy a marri marriage ge after his election unless they solve sole the problem themselves And yet such unhappiness can contribute to a vague vante dissatisfaction with the status quo that makes the promise e of change appealing Some Win Some Lose LOe Further it is just not possible for the same change to benefit all equally Change usually brings both good and bad In the case of political change it is likely to be good for some groups and bad for others Income redistribution Isa is isa isa a good example To give more money to some the government must first take from others more I ITHEN THEN THERE is the le question of degree degree de de- de gree Fortunately the American poli poll political political system Is designated to retard change III although though not to prevent it entirely Why Fortunately Because we wouldn't really be happy appy with rapid and fundamental fundamental funda mental change if we got it it Predictability is one of at the most im components of our lives Both business and individual must be able to plan for the future To do that we must be able to assess with a reasonable reasonable reasonable reason reason- able degree of oC accuracy the possibilities of certain things happening or not happening hap hap- pening We must be able to estimate about how much our taxes will increase do they ever ver go down what the chances are arc of being drafted how fast prices will rise how much our income will increase and so on Value of Small Change Small changes even In a steady direction direction di di- reckon can be accommodated A tax increase or a rise in the price index of two or three percent will not knock the props out from under most families or businesses But Dut a 10 percent increase could spell disaster for many The same same thing goes for changes in the laws that govern our lives and for that matter matter mat mat- ter even for social custom It is the sum total of or the Ule gradual steady changes that constitutes progress real enduring progress That's the kind we favor and work for ABRUPT UNSETTLING change will often orten turn bitter even for those initially Political changes that make some groups extraordinarily happy are arc quite likely to make other groups extraordinarily ex ex- unhappy There Is then a backlash of equal or greater intensity at the next election in America or worse a revolution in less stable countries countries countries coun coun- tries Each swing of the tho pendulum becomes becomes be comes more extreme does more dam damage age The French Revolution is perhaps the best historical example Self righteous zealots of all political persuasions will undoubtedly continue to lament the fact that our candidates are usually forced to compromise their more extreme views as the price of gaining office And the they will continue to con con- condemn condemn condemn Congress for dragging its feet rather than passing immediately all the laws they favor But Dut the rest of us If we give it a little thought would be bewell bewell bewell well advised to murmur a small prayer rayer of gratitude |
