"It would be great if Americans would drink some libertarian Kool-Aid for a change. Unlike the fascist neocon Kool-Aid of the mainstream GOP and the cultural Marxist Kool-Aid of the Democrats, libertarian Kool-Aid isn't poison -- it's the antidote.
Unfortunately, the libertarian position is almost never heard in the mainstream media. Americans have been conditioned to believe that any point of view that's not endorsed by the mainstream of either major party is somehow illegitimate or "kooky." This is a reflection of the herd instinct that governs how the vast majority of people behave. Few people are willing to point out that the Emperor wears no clothes.
The sad fact of the matter is that most Americans don't really want freedom. In fact, they don't even know what real freedom is anymore. The so-called "conservatives" would cheer if the burning of their beloved flag were outlawed in violation of the First Amendment. The "liberals" would cheer if "hate speech" were outlawed. Yet if you were to ask any of these people if they believed in freedom, they'd say, "Of course!"
Similarly, I have no doubt that over 95% of Americans see no irony whatsoever in the naming of the Freedom Tower in NYC -- even though NYC is essentially a prison camp. Paramilitary police (wardens) parade around with M4s and keep a watchful eye on citizens (inmates) who aren't even allowed to have puny handguns. High-tech electronic surveillance is ubiquitous. (Never mind that none of those so-called "security measures" would have stopped the WTC attacks. They wouldn't even stop a truck bomb tomorrow.) Oh, but you can vote for which Mayor you want to rule over you, watch whatever you want to on cable TV, and even shop at the stores of your choice; therefore, you must be "free."
Let's face it, folks: most Americans are cowards and sheep who value the illusion of safety more than freedom. No right is too cheap to toss out if it increases our chances of living forever. That's why libertarianism isn't more popular: Joe Sixpack and Sally Soccermom are just fine with having a police state if it means that their odds of being blown up by a terrorist are lowered from one in 40 million to one in 50 million.
We can't have a "land of the free" unless it's also the "home of the brave" -- and we sure as hell don't have the latter. DDude is right: freedom in America is doomed."
Best post i have read this year.
i was a Democrat for a few decades and drunk their nasty Kool-Aid. Been a Republican for a few more decades and do not like their poison Kool-Aid any better. National politicians are all about feel good stuff and five second sound bits, nothing more. We have become a nation of gutless wonders.
US Army
M/Sgt, Retired
Unfortunately, the libertarian position is almost never heard in the mainstream media. Americans have been conditioned to believe that any point of view that's not endorsed by the mainstream of either major party is somehow illegitimate or "kooky." This is a reflection of the herd instinct that governs how the vast majority of people behave. Few people are willing to point out that the Emperor wears no clothes.
The sad fact of the matter is that most Americans don't really want freedom. In fact, they don't even know what real freedom is anymore. The so-called "conservatives" would cheer if the burning of their beloved flag were outlawed in violation of the First Amendment. The "liberals" would cheer if "hate speech" were outlawed. Yet if you were to ask any of these people if they believed in freedom, they'd say, "Of course!"
Similarly, I have no doubt that over 95% of Americans see no irony whatsoever in the naming of the Freedom Tower in NYC -- even though NYC is essentially a prison camp. Paramilitary police (wardens) parade around with M4s and keep a watchful eye on citizens (inmates) who aren't even allowed to have puny handguns. High-tech electronic surveillance is ubiquitous. (Never mind that none of those so-called "security measures" would have stopped the WTC attacks. They wouldn't even stop a truck bomb tomorrow.) Oh, but you can vote for which Mayor you want to rule over you, watch whatever you want to on cable TV, and even shop at the stores of your choice; therefore, you must be "free."
Let's face it, folks: most Americans are cowards and sheep who value the illusion of safety more than freedom. No right is too cheap to toss out if it increases our chances of living forever. That's why libertarianism isn't more popular: Joe Sixpack and Sally Soccermom are just fine with having a police state if it means that their odds of being blown up by a terrorist are lowered from one in 40 million to one in 50 million.
We can't have a "land of the free" unless it's also the "home of the brave" -- and we sure as hell don't have the latter. DDude is right: freedom in America is doomed."
Best post i have read this year.
i was a Democrat for a few decades and drunk their nasty Kool-Aid. Been a Republican for a few more decades and do not like their poison Kool-Aid any better. National politicians are all about feel good stuff and five second sound bits, nothing more. We have become a nation of gutless wonders.
US Army
M/Sgt, Retired