Even worse, socialism’s free stuff message in general is gaining traction among Americans on both the left and right.

On the other hand, Americans’ views of free enterprise are going in the other direction.

The free stuff canard has gained momentum over the past decade, despite its inherent illogic, because the long march through the institutions has succeeded. “Highly educated” people are much more prone to fall for the socialist free stuff fable, not because they are so smart, but simply because they have been brainwashed.

They view society as a zero-sum game. Winners and losers. Oppressed and oppressor. If an individual acquires great wealth, they must have done so unfairly. Blah, blah, blah.

This is a very rudimentary worldview.

The free enterprise society that America pioneered was specifically designed to override the zero-sum societies that lacked private property rights, rule of law, limited government, and the freedom to choose one’s path in life.

The record over the past two centuries clearly shows that free enterprise has dwarfed socialism in producing higher living standards for all of society.

In terms of the current affordability problems facing Americans, a return to free enterprise principles could unlock all sorts of innovative solutions.

In healthcare, if free enterprise were unleashed, the system would be patient-centered, allowing Americans a menu of healthcare plans based on their individual circumstances.

Decouple healthcare insurance from employment, a relic from World War II domestic price controls. Loosen regulations so that people have ample choices, not a few one-size-fits-all plans. Reduce government intervention, which severely distorts price signals and undermines the laws of supply and demand.

An intrusion of free enterprise principles would likewise do wonders for the moribund housing and energy markets.

Reducing arbitrary and capricious zoning laws would substantially increase supply. Lowering property taxes would boost demand. Eliminating rent control would incentivize more housing.

Renewable energy mandates have wildly skewed electricity prices. High taxes on gasoline in states like California are regressive. The absurd war on fossil fuels has reduced the supply of abundant, affordable, reliable energy.

These are but a few ways that free enterprise principles and policies could alleviate the affordability crisis.

But the free enterprise argument is complex and abstract. In some ways, it is counterintuitive.

The free stuff pitch is a much easier sell, especially when the population has been conditioned to frown on free enterprise by powerful cultural institutions for decades.

To buy the free stuff story, however, one must enter a fantasy mindset untethered to history, human nature, and reality.

Suffice it to say, nothing is free.

The stuff, like healthcare services rendered, medical devices, employee wages at a childcare center, construction materials, etc. never appear free of charge.

The so-called free stuff is provided by the productive members of society via taxes.

The DSA candidates say that if billionaires just foot their fair sure, all the free stuff they promise will be funded forever.

But that defies basic arithmetic and common sense.

It is also incredibly unvirtuous.

SPAIN’S SOCIALIST LEADER HANDED NATO’S SECRETS TO CHINA. VOTERS MUST MAKE HIM PAY

Free enterprise societies not only produce better economic outcomes than free stuff societies, but they are also virtuous, moral, and worthy of defending. They uphold human dignity, instill purpose, and incubate ingenuity. They embrace freedom, promote opportunity, and reward hard work.

Free enterprise is not flawless; some succeed more than others. But free enterprise, as history shows and reason confirms, is and always will be far superior to the imbecilic idea of endless free stuff.

Chris Talgo ([email protected]) is editorial director at The Heartland Institute.