Sometimes the Wichita Eagle Opinion Line makes me wonder. Here’s something from today’s collection:
“Wanda Sykes should be given a $400 million contract and radio airtime opposite Rush Limbaugh. Let the free market and capitalism work, and we’ll see which one America really supports.”
The writer wants the free market to work. At the same time, the writer seems to be saying that someone should give the subject Wanda Sykes $400 million. (I think that’s the same amount as Limbaugh’s recent contract.)
Where I think this writer is confused is that Limbaugh was not given anything. He earns his pay, as far as I know. No one is forced to listen to or sponsor his show. Should the tastes of his listeners change, his show would fold.
The writer doesn’t say this, but I suspect the point is that the government should give Sykes this contract, giving her the chance to compete with Limbaugh. This has nothing to do with free markets and capitalism. It is just the opposite.
In reality, the fact that Sykes has no such contract is evidence of the free market working just perfectly.