Consumers do not pay attention to the identity of the producer. They are totally insensitive as to whether or not the producer is a good or bad person, or as to his race, color or nationality. The consumers' only concern is that the products which they buy satisfy their needs, and they will patronize such producers accordingly. Even if 51 per cent of the market favors one type of product, the market still will provide what is sought by the remaining 49 per cent. In contrast to the economic vote of the consumer stands the political vote of the citizen.
Political campaigns are cluttered with numerous issues and personalities.
The voters cannot vote separately on each possible issue, but rather they vote for people who represent compromises and stand for many goals. Hence, as the state enlarges its area of activity to encompass different segments of the economy, it becomes harder for a voter to sustain or to defeat any one particular program. A by-product of government intervention and collectivist control is a growing public interest in discerning the causes of the malfunctioning economy. As people begin to feel the oppressive nature of intervention and the suffocating consequences of taxation and inflation, a countervailing force will be building in freedom's favor. Our prospects for survival depend upon our understanding of the economic and moral case for freedom.