Conservatives these days are presenting plenty of policy ideas aimed at helping the middle class, the “working class” and even sometimes the poor. Many of these policies are good, but some of what I find most important is some of the rhetorical shifts in conservative circles.

This morning, the American Enterprise Institute, where I am a visiting fellow, co-hosted a conference on “reform conservatism” and on helping the middle class and the poor. Much of the policy discussion this morning has focused on “removing barriers” for entrepreneurs. Sen. Mike Lee, R-Utah, quoted Abraham Lincoln on government’s duty to “lift artificial weights” from the shoulders of regular people. This way of talking all points towards good policy.