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Your Thought for the Day
'For centuries, the State (or more strictly, individuals acting in their roles as "members of the government") has cloaked its criminal activity in high-sounding rhetoric. For centuries the State has committed mass murder and called it "war"; then ennobled the mass slaughter that "war" involves. For centuries the State has enslaved people into its armed battalions and called it "conscription" in the "national service." For centuries the State has robbed people at bayonet point and called it "taxation." In fact, if you wish to know how libertarians regard the State and any of its acts, simply think of the State as a criminal band, and all of the libertarian attitudes will logically fall into place.'
--Murray Rothbard, For a New Liberty
I'm sure the idea of the state being the prime criminal actor in human life will be surprising, shocking, and perhaps even anathema to the folks sitting on the left side of the peanut gallery. Which is too bad. We're called "the right" for more than one reason, you see...
Via Econlog.
I would almost call that more anarchist than libertarian. While it's certainly true of the ever-expanding governments of the world there's a certain level at which taxation is appropriate. Same with the military, war, and the like.
Posted by: Ron ap Rhys on October 11, 2009 06:06 PMWell, yes, but the point is, I think, to start with the premise that the state is a gang of thugs. In a chaotic and nasty world, an organized gang of thugs can definitely be useful. But to convince yourself that this same state loves you, and has only your best interests at heart, and by the way the only reason this other guy doesn't agree is because he's dangerous...
C.f. Slope, Slippery...
Posted by: Scott on October 11, 2009 07:57 PMDon't think that I ever think the State has my best interests at heart. Oh hell no. Human nature is about power and setting things up to best support one's offspring. As such, absolutely no one has my best interests at heart. No one. They've got their best interests at heart. These may come at my expense, they may benefit me. Each individual interest needs to be judged for its own merits.
IMO, the goal of the public should be to absolutely do everything possible to reduce the role of government in their lives. The State will take care of its desire to do everything possible to intrude, so it should balance well.
Posted by: Ron ap Rhys on October 12, 2009 08:35 AM