Main Street Economics Founder Les Rubin Warns Against 'The Deception of Easy Answers'

New Townhall Op-Ed Urges Policymakers to Trust Proven Free-Market Principles Over “Magical” Government Fixes

WASHINGTON, DC, UNITED STATES, November 3, 2025 /EINPresswire.com/ -- As Americans continue to grapple with inflation, high housing costs, and economic uncertainty, one expert is urging policymakers and voters to look beyond political soundbites and focus on proven, long-term solutions.

As candidates and politicians across the country propose expanded government programs and “cost-free” benefits to ease economic strain, some economists are pushing back. In a new Townhall commentary, Les Rubin, Founder and President of Main Street Economics, cautions that such promises may provide temporary comfort but long-term harm. In “Grasping at Straws – The Deception of Easy Answers,” Rubin contends that lasting prosperity depends on discipline, limited government, and the power of free markets.

“Too often, when people feel economic pressure, they reach for the first solution that sounds comforting,” Rubin said. “But easy answers that ignore basic economic principles will never create lasting prosperity. We need real solutions grounded in what history has proven works.”

In the text of Grasping at Straws – The Deception of Easy Answers, Rubin writes:

"I get it. When times are tough, people naturally look for answers. When the cost of living rises faster than wages or when housing prices climb out of reach, families naturally begin searching for solutions. That instinct is part of being human. But too often, we make the mistake of looking in all the wrong places.

Sometimes the problems are modest. Food prices rise a little faster than our paychecks, or rent increases make it hard to save. Other times the problem is much worse, as in Venezuela, where millions have fled their collapsed economy and those who remain live in poverty with inadequate food and housing. Whether we face discomfort or disaster, one truth remains the same. A drowning man has never been saved by grasping at a straw.

We all wish there were easy answers. It would be wonderful if someone could wave a magic wand and fix inflation or make housing affordable. But there are no fairies coming to sprinkle magic dust on our problems. Real solutions require hard work, sound judgment, and respect for the basic principles of economics.

Unfortunately, politicians often promise otherwise. They offer simple fixes that sound compassionate and convenient. They say they can make things free, that they can control prices, or that government programs will relieve every burden. These promises are designed to win elections, not to solve problems. Free is never free.

The result is always the same. Once the politician wins, the magic solutions disappear, and the problems remain or get worse.

Venezuela is a perfect example. In the late 1990s, it was one of the wealthiest countries in South America. Then Hugo Chávez came to power promising to lift everyone up through socialism. He told citizens that government could provide prosperity for all. At first, when the country still had oil wealth, it seemed to work. But as the money ran out, the promises failed. The government took control of industries, productivity collapsed, and corruption flourished. What began as an appeal to fairness and equality turned into dictatorship and widespread poverty.

We are seeing similar thinking here at home. In New York City, for instance, some candidates promise to make life more affordable through rent controls, government-run grocery stores, and programs that hand out ‘free’ benefits. These ideas sound appealing to families who are struggling, but they are simply new versions of the same old failed approach. People are grasping for something that looks like help, even if it cannot possibly hold up.

The truth is that socialism always fails because it runs against human nature. The system removes the incentives that drive people to innovate, create, and work. Incentives are the engine that powers an economy. Without them, production slows, investment stops, and growth disappears. History has never produced an example where socialism improved life for ordinary citizens in a lasting way.

Argentina provides a striking contrast and a lesson in what works. After decades of socialist policies that left the country’s economy in ruins, voters recently chose a leader, an economist, who understands the power of market-based reform. In his first year, he reduced the size of government, balanced the budget, and cut unnecessary regulations. He even eliminated rent controls. The results were remarkable. Inflation fell dramatically, the housing supply increased, and rents declined as more housing product came to market.

The liberal Swedish economist Assar Lindbeck once observed: "In many cases rent control appears to be the most efficient technique presently known to destroy a city—except for bombing". That statement may sound extreme, but economic history proves its accuracy. Whenever governments impose rent controls, housing shortages follow, buildings deteriorate, and new development stops. The policy feels good at first, but it ends badly every time.

That same principle applies to socialism. It always ‘sounds good, but feels bad’ once the reality sets in. Free bus rides are not free. Free childcare is not free. Someone must pay the bill, and that someone is the taxpayer. Eventually the money runs out. Borrowing can delay the reckoning for a while, but the debts come due in the end. When that happens, the entire system collapses under its own weight.

There is a better way. We know what works because history has shown us. Free markets, fiscal responsibility, limited government, and strong incentives for innovation create prosperity. These ideas may not sound as magical as “free” programs or price controls, but they produce real results that last.

When we feel economic pain, it is natural to want quick relief. But quick relief built on bad economics only makes the problem worse. Real progress comes from applying sound economic principles and trusting the system that rewards hard work, creativity, and personal responsibility.

My message is simple, don’t grasp at straws. Look for real solutions. We know what works, let’s try that for a change."

As Americans face rising costs and economic uncertainty, Rubin emphasizes that quick fixes and government handouts are not the answer. History demonstrates that prosperity comes from policies that foster innovation, encourage personal responsibility, and create incentives for growth. By following proven economic principles rather than chasing the allure of “free” programs, families and communities can build sustainable wealth and stability.

Rubin added, “We can choose policies that encourage innovation, growth, and opportunity, rather than chasing empty promises that history shows will fail. The path to real prosperity is clear if we follow what actually works.”

About Main Street Economics

Main Street Economics was formed to provide Economic Education for the American public. We focus on explaining the fiscal problems we face and basic economics in easy-to-understand language by laymen for laymen without formal education in economics. For more information on Main Street Economics and its initiatives, please visit https://www.mainstreeteconomics.org/

To schedule an interview with Les Rubin, please contact Dan Rene at 202-329-8357 or dan@danrene.com.

Dan Rene
Dan Rene Communications
+ +1 202-329-8357
dan@danrene.com
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