Step aside, Uncle Sam. We’ll take it from here.

As seen in The Oakland Press

May 31st, 2026

Step aside, Uncle Sam.We’ll take it from here.

by Ken Morris

Lake Superior State University comes out with a list of banned and overused words every year. While 2026 still has a way to go, I would like to nominate “affordability” for this year’s list. From groceries to gasoline and everything in between, it costs a lot of money to make ends meet. Most consumers are pretty good at shopping around and finding more affordable deals. And it’s that very behavior that helps keep prices in check. Consumer habits can definitely affect how much they have to pay.

Despite the recent spike in prices, the U.S. economy remains the envy of the world. One reason is competition. Businesses are always trying to build a better, more affordable product. The downside of competition, however, is that there are winners and losers.

I have always been a firm believer in the intelligence of the consumer. Who can best determine if a product is viable and affordable? The businesses who make them and the people who buy them. Through free capitalism.

Not by having Uncle Sam steer consumers and businesses in a certain direction, trying to control products and prices. The free market needs to be free, not controlled. Two recent examples come to mind that illustrate why the government should leave business decisions to businesses and let consumers determine where and how they spend.

Uncle Sam clearly steered automakers toward the production of Electric Vehicles, offering billions in subsidies to manufacturers and significant tax credits to purchasers. I personally bought one. However, EV sales never quite hit the desired goals and many automakers have cut back on development and production.

But wait! The cost of gasoline spiked, and according to Cox Automotive, the sale of used EVs surged 27.7% year over year. The marketplace and economic environment determined what consumers wanted, not politicians.

The sad and sudden shutdown of Spirit Airlines is another example. Over the years, a number of airlines have come and gone. Locally, Northwest Airlines merged with Delta. There have also been numerous merges in the auto industry. The point is mergers are not uncommon.

In 2022, Jet Blue wanted to purchase Spirit for $3.8 billion. Both management and employees wanted the sale to proceed. But Uncle Sam had other ideas. Fearing there wouldn’t be enough discount fare airlines left, Uncle Sam quashed the sale. So, Spirit was grounded along with its employees. Many airport workers also joined the unemployed. In fact, the number of direct and indirect job losses is estimated to be nearly 40,000. And there was one less discount airline.

These are difficult times for many. And based on history and experience, the best solution is to let the economy and businesses work through the issues. Uncle Sam needs to step back and let the markets be free.

In a world driven by competition, businesses come and go. When the government tries to steer consumers toward a product or thinks it’s better at operating a business than businesses themselves, problems ensue.

History has shown that a free marketplace, where consumers make their own decisions is usually what works best over time. Our economy is going to have issues, but in a competitive environment, the consumer is eventually the winner. Maybe by year’s end the phrase “free market efficiency” will be considered for Lake Superior State’s 2026 list.