Start-Up America

Thomas Friedman's editorial today showcases Silicon Valley's energetic idea machine and laments Congress's inaction as if the two are related. The problem is that tech ideas are promoted, tested and discarded in short order.  On the other hand, political ideas get traction over a long slug where they are compromised to a point of solely benefiting rent seekers.  Unfortunately ideas converted to legislation never get discarded, no matter how discredited.  Converting corn into fuel for autos is one particularly egregious example.  No wonder Tom observes that Libertarians techies approve of the current stalemate.