Phyllis Schlafly’s economic philosophy was deeply pragmatic, focusing on tangible results rather than the lofty promises of progressive ideals. For Phyllis, intentions were irrelevant if they led to disastrous outcomes—a lesson painfully evident in the failures of many well-intentioned government programs.
Schlafly was unrelenting in her criticism of policies like comparable worth, where feminist rhetoric of “fairness” gave rise to bloated bureaucracies that ultimately harmed the very women they aimed to help. Similarly, she exposed the pitfalls of federal education spending, which, despite noble aspirations, produced a failing public school system. As she pointed out, “In education, federal spending is not only not working on the solution, but it is part of the problem.” Schlafly’s analysis showed that throwing money at systemic issues often exacerbates them, leaving Americans worse off.
Welfare programs, another frequent target of Schlafly’s critiques, epitomize this dynamic. While conservatives share the goal of aiding the poor, Schlafly warned that government welfare incentivizes dependency rather than self-reliance. Such policies, she argued, undermine family structures and discourage meaningful work—two cornerstones of a healthy society.
Schlafly’s understanding of economics went beyond critique; it was imbued with a moral purpose. She recognized that economic growth is essential to lifting people from poverty and supporting families. In her 2010 radio commentary, she declared that “promoting economic growth is a moral imperative for Christians.” For Schlafly, economic policies should not cater to globalist elites but should uplift the middle class, protect American jobs, and preserve the family as the bedrock of society.
By holding policies accountable to real-world outcomes and prioritizing the family as the ultimate beneficiary of economic success, Schlafly offered a blueprint for moral, results-oriented conservatism that resonates today
This post originally appeared at https://www.phyllisschlafly.com/family/economics-is-about-results-not-ideals/
Phyllis Schlafly