The unique and defining feature of the state is social permission to AGGRESS against others.
The little people like the idea of the state because it permits them an avenue to AGGRESS against others ANONYMOUSLY.
All of the overreaches of the state happen because the people carrying out the deeds do so anonymously (just following orders, just enforcing the law) and the rest of society accepts this rather than holding them accountable for their individual actions which they choose to do.
The orders are issued and the laws made because the lawmakers are "just carrying out the wishes of the people", they're not personally responsible for the evil that they are calling for/enabling.
The people make the political demands because they personally won't be held accountable nor will they have to get their hands dirty with the actual violence or threats of violence which they're requesting.
And people think that a social arrangement like this can be limited. Even in the "glory days of the republic" the state was an engine of violence and aggression against those who weren't "inside" it -- Indians, Mexicans, etc to benefit the people who were inside it.
What will we do about the X?
X may be "child pornographers" or "poor" or "socially awkward" or "toe fungus".
What will we do about the X without a state? We'll do what we decide is right and we'll take responsibility for doing it, personally. We won't hide in a mob. We won't hide behind a bureaucrat "just carrying out policy" or a cop "just enforcing the law."
"Posterity, you will never know how much it cost the present generation to preserve your freedom. I hope you will make good use of it. If you do not, I shall repent in heaven that ever I took half the pains to preserve it." -John Adams
Welcome to Patriot's Lament. We strive here to educate ourselves on Liberty. We will not worry ourselves so much with the daily antics of American politics, and drown ourselves in the murky waters of the political right or left.
Instead, we will look to the Intellectuals and Champions of Liberty, and draw on their wisdom of what it is to be a truly free people. We will learn from where our Providential Liberties are derived, and put the proper perspective of a Free Individual and the State.
Please join us!
Welcome to Patriot's Lament. We strive here to educate ourselves on Liberty. We will not worry ourselves so much with the daily antics of American politics, and drown ourselves in the murky waters of the political right or left.
Instead, we will look to the Intellectuals and Champions of Liberty, and draw on their wisdom of what it is to be a truly free people. We will learn from where our Providential Liberties are derived, and put the proper perspective of a Free Individual and the State.
Please join us!
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"But the people aren't moral enough to live without a state!"
ReplyDeleteI think it is more obvious that they're not moral enough to live with one.
And what is a State but a bunch of people? The "State" is non existent, can you point to "State"? "Hey kids, there's State"! No, but you can point to the "people who aren't moral" that individually operate as the State.
ReplyDeleteI wrote this because of a conversation Mrs. Akers had on the radio yesterday with a libertarian of the "limited state" variety. Having spent most of my adult life in that mindset I understand where she is coming from, and Mrs. Akers made her case masterfully. I just had a few cents to add.
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