We can't claim that the Republican field challenging Democrat President Barack Obama this year is particularly "exhilarating."
But former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney commendably demonstrated with his recent response to a question from someone in Illinois that he realizes benefits are not "free" simply because government provides them.
Romney was speaking at a forum when a woman in the crowd approvingly referred to President Barack Obama's recent requirement that even Catholic-affiliated institutions must offer insurance plans providing "free" birth control -- in violation of their teachings.
"You know what would make me happy? Free birth control," the woman said to Romney.
Romney was polite but he didn't miss a beat. Obviously recognizing that "free" government benefits are simply benefits that somebody else has to pay for, he offered this response:
"Let me tell you something. If you're looking for free stuff you don't have to pay for, vote for the other guy. That's what he's all about, OK? That's not ... what I'm about."
That was a refreshing answer. So much of what ails the U.S. economy nowadays stems from the fact that so many of us seem to want benefits -- whether it be medical care or housing or anything else -- but want "the government" to pay for them.
But as former British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher aptly observed, the problem with those kinds of redistributionist schemes is that "they always run out of other people's money."
It's good to know that Romney understands there is no such thing as "free" benefits.