The Worst Rise to the Top

Today’s Dictionary.com Word of the Day is metier defined as:

1. An occupation; a profession.
2. An area in which one excels; an occupation for which one is especially well suited.

Here is a usage example they give… That just so happens to illustrate a certain point of Hayek’s as well:

In Congress, I really found my metier. . . . I love to legislate.
— Charles Schumer, “quoted in Upbeat Schumer Battles Poor Polls and Turnouts and His Own Image,” New York Times, May 16, 1998

As far as I can tell, belief in limited government is belief that the legislature can be filled with people, contra Schumer, who hate to legislate. I suppose this is just about as possible as a mafia filled with pacifists… Conceivable but rather unlikely.

Share

5:43 pm on March 25, 2006