Silly Season is back, and with a vengeance. For those who don’t follow the media, the term describes (appropriately, I believe) the period before a federal election, when candidates and media personalities say and do silly, ridiculous things. Even more than usual.

In this 2026 version, the buzzword is affordability. Every American knows that life got dramatically more expensive during the past few years. Therefore, both sides claim that the other is to blame, and that they alone have the antidote for high prices. They are, of course, wrong. Some more than others.

Alone (almost) at the top of the discussion is a Senate proposal called “Make Stuff Cost Less” (MSCL). While that would be wonderful for all of us, no one can simply decree the intended result. Let’s see how they intend to accomplish that goal, and if any of their proposals actually make economic sense.

Would MSCL proposals have the intended effect on prices? MSCL proposes to expand Medicare so individuals pay less, passing along costs to the government. Critics of their “Medicare for all” proposal estimate that universal Medicare would cost $3 Trillion per year. Therefore, any expansion of Medicare coverage would add cost to the system. Health care and health insurance would both cost more, including individual Medicare premiums.

In addition, MSCL proposes that the government should negotiate lower costs with the drug companies. If you have not paid attention, the Trump Administration has completed 90% of that job already. Stolen valor, anyone?

Several other specific proposals to “make stuff cost less” include:

• Cracking down on price gouging, which is a nebulous term at best, as profit margins on grocery stores average 1% – 3%, whereas technology companies average well into double-digit profits, so who’s gouging us?
• Reducing college costs by canceling student debt – I can’t even figure out how to respond to this ridiculous proposal
• Raising workers’ purchasing power by “supporting higher wages” and making unions stronger (no cost savings there)
• Forcing companies to share more of their profits with employees (this makes what less expensive?)
• Reducing childcare costs by providing government-funded day care and increasing wages for the caretakers (this drives the hourly cost of daycare up)
• Increasing taxes on corporate profits to fund spending programs, which would spur corporations to raise prices to maintain profit margins

Economics of prosperity are not dictated by elected officials, though many seem to believe that they have the power. Unsound and silly economic proposals work to the detriment of all Americans. Ignore them, and the election will soon be over.