The state will be happy to give you the myriad of reasons why it presumes to have a claim on you and your life. In fact it does so constantly in its schools, media, and institutions.
I'm constantly perplexed as to how a monopoly on force could ever be spun to equal goodness. How does it deem itself to be necessary when any service it provides is rife with waste, inefficiency, gross mismanagement and by default ignores the needs or wants of the individual in favor of the group?
Is that their claim on me and you, their right to malfunction on the job, to even exist? That's stupid and I can't buy into that, not even on my worst day. I don't want to speak for anyone else, but I refute their claim on me, my mind, my efforts or anything associated with me.
The 100% voluntary and peaceful "society" that I now wholeheartedly, and forever will subscribe to, is based on 100% rational thought. It doesn't get bogged down by any nonsensical and philosophically weak notion that the state must threaten force for noncompliance with each and every transaction it does with and against the public.
The state says that people are no good and must by default, be continually bossed around. I say that the state has not validated its insane assumption of goodness or ridiculous call for a need for it by the people. It has proven time and again that its "one size fits all" (non)solutions only truly benefit those that administer the programs.
People (not all of them, of course) are good. They are charitable and kind with a deep sense of empathy as we are talking of our fellow human beings. Ordinary people have not lost track of that although the state can't even gain a tiny grasp on such a contention.
Government lacks that necessary empathy when dealing with people. Before it can even dream that it has a claim on me, or anyone else, it first needs to at least change it's very way of doing business. Of course this would be impossible because the state, any state, by default cannot do what it does anywhere on earth in a way that fosters peace between itself and the people, help individuals on a one-on-one basis, or make what it does somehow right. They just can't pull it off.
You may not in good conscience or any semblance of reality crown the scorpion as a "defender of all bugs". To do so makes you look absurd and further diminishes your respectability with all. Government is just naive enough (and wishes we were equally clueless) to hold itself out as that so-called "defender".
Perhaps it is just the age old tradition of the state as "boss" throughout history that makes them believe a claim on me exists, as they really don't have anything going on for them other than that. Maybe it is just long held custom that dictates their foul diktat. I'm not buying into that either, of course.
The state has nothing, no surprise there.
With Liberty,
Dan Steward
©2008 Dan Steward, all rights reserved. You must have written permission from the author in order to republish this work.
Published: Monday, December 8, 2008
Last modified: Monday, December 8, 2008
The views expressed in this article are those of Dan Steward only and do not represent the views of Nolan Chart, LLC or its affiliates. Dan Steward is solely responsible for the contents of this article and is not an employee or otherwise affiliated with Nolan Chart, LLC in his/her role as a columnist.
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Reader Comments:
Posted By: r3volt
Date: 2008-12-08 18:50:03
The fact of the matter is there are more of us than them. Once we realize that, liberty will thrive as the numbers of supporters for freedom and liberty are indeed great.
Who in their right mind would actually willingly submit to this claim of government? Many submit themselves to being claimed because the herd does it or at least because they believe the herd is willingly submitting themselves. That can all change in a hearbeat.
I know, because it did for me. Once the truth of true economic and civil liberties came to light, I have become obsessed. How could one really care about their local sports team once they understand that we are all willingly submitting to this system and are being robbed blind by it? More of us are robbed than are gathering the goodies through this theft. Once that information gets into your head, nothing matters other than getting back what is rightly yours. Your freedom!
More of us will see that there are more of us than them, the tide will turn and it will turn quick. One might be surprised to see that they are not alone, but it is then comforting to know there are many more of us. Our job to help reclaim our liberties can be found within making sure we all know that we outnumber them. Progressive, Liberal, Libertarian, Democrat, Republican are just titles to get us to fight among ourselves. The core of us is the desire and will to be free.
Now reach out to someone else you have never talked to about this and approach them with the subject of freedom and liberty. Once people put this idea in terms of their own perspective, the red pill has been taken and forever their life will be changed.
No amount of Dancing with the Stars, this pro team or that going to whatever championship game, wars of aggression, or financial screams of "WE ARE ALL GOING TO DIE!" will ever take away the fact that we all want to be free for our own actions and free to our own efforts of time and wealth. The dancing monkey can only distract you for so long before you feel your wallet being picked clean.
More of us are willing to no longer submit than the establishment wants us to think. There are more of us than them. Let someone you love know.
Posted By: Master C
Date: 2008-12-08 18:54:49
Dan,
You talk about "the State" like it's a PERSON with living, breathing motives. In some ways, just like people talk about "the economy", like it's a thing ~ instead of billions of decisions being made simultaneously by independent minds. Your droning whine about how people are idiots and don't know what's best for them is more like an explanation of what's wrong with your analysis ~ you just don't GET IT.
Even your boast about being 100% rational is completely unexplained by your futile, persistent, relentless struggle against a system that is PREFERRED by a majority of people who VASTLY outnumber you. How can you call it "rational" to vote for candidates who can never win, and to accuse elected politicians of illegal acts when you can't ever PROVE it? Rationality must have a hope of success or at least a recognition of failure ~ yours is a feeble grasp at a fairy tale.
No one believes they have a "claim on you". We just believe that if you want to live in this society, you have to follow certain rules of conduct that you may not like. But, the majority of us do. If you don't like that system, maybe you should move to that place where they do. I, personally, don't know where it might be because when someone is so faaaaaaar off base with the rest of society, there's just no RATIONAL way for them to find their way back.
Master C
Posted By: r3volt
Date: 2008-12-08 19:19:36
Master C you may be happy to submit to this herd mentality of society, but people are realizing government cannot protect them always and in fact should not. So few people like you really want to have every decision they make decided for them. I commend you on your ability to be so codependent on such an abusive spouse.
Just think when people like you begin to try and collect social security payments that you paid into as a fairy tale believer of government taking care of you. Those programs will either end of be adjusted down so grossly that the payments will be rendered worhtless.
How about when your unemployment gets denied because of some arbitrary government claim. You paid into it, but it isn't there. Ohio's unemployment "fund" is no longer there along with many other states. They are all standing in line waiting for someone to fund the ability for government to take care of us all.
Perhaps take into consideration of the subpar healthcare you will receive when Medicare kicks in. Just think of how upset you will be once you really find out what you paid for in government care. The government over-promises to take care of everyone, over-collects to accomodate said promises, and then wastes it all away. All of the money that they have taken from you is your time and energy. You cannot get those back. The government promised you a great return on your investment, but has sqaundered it all away. Once you realize that they lied to you with lies and good intentions, you will see how faulty your reasoning really is.
They cannot deliver on their promises and we would all be better if we just fended for ourselves. Charity would prosper in times of great wealth and, so those dependent on tbhe system and not just playing it will be taken care of.
Peace out.
Posted By: Jake, the champion of the constitution
Date: 2008-12-08 21:55:01
Dan - your article is sounding the same song as this series "Statism is Dead" Link FYI in case you havent yet seen it. 4 parts, better part of an hour to watch. Part 3 is freaky cool
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PGIgOIFdnMQ
Posted By: Dan Steward
Date: 2008-12-09 09:04:25
Dan,
You talk about "the State" like it's a PERSON with living, breathing motives.
So what you're saying, Carl, (if I understand you) is that the state has no "people" administrating it? The government is human beings (or what passes for them) plain and simple.
A county owned snow plow or a state office building has no power to push me around or suck money from my wallet.
In some ways, just like people talk about "the economy", like it's a thing ~ instead of billions of decisions being made simultaneously by independent minds.
It must have hurt you badly to say the term "independent minds" or maybe you're starting to get it, Mr. Conrad.
Your droning whine about how people are idiots and don't know what's best for them is more like an explanation of what's wrong with your analysis ~ you just don't GET IT.
If people want to be bossed around, then I'm not going to keep or even want to prevent little tiny enclaves (i.e. kibbutzes or communes) from being formed throughout the land. Those people can go live in a dirt floored yert and drink soy milk for all I care.
The problem arises (as it always does) is when these busybodies can't keep their hands off my cheese fries & Camel smokes.
I just want the option of freedom to be offered to people. They sure as heck don't have that option now.
Even your boast about being 100% rational is completely unexplained by your futile, persistent, relentless struggle against a system that is PREFERRED by a majority of people who VASTLY outnumber you.
So no signifant portion of the populace has a gripe. Are you serious?
How can you call it "rational" to vote for candidates who can never win, and to accuse elected politicians of illegal acts when you can't ever PROVE it?
I suppose that when you have a stake in the state (a government run college professor) you may turn a blind eye away from these ills and act as though they don't exist.
Rationality must have a hope of success or at least a recognition of failure ~ yours is a feeble grasp at a fairy tale.
Some "fairy tale", Carl. Government will collapse from its own weight and has to be replaced with something. My option is a voluntary "society". You still have to prove a service that is provided by gov't that cannot possibly be duplicated by a free market that would offer said service cheaper, more competitively, and without the threat of force, behind its every transaction.
No one believes they have a "claim on you".
There you go again, acting as though you have people on here backing you up, when it is just only you, Carl.
We just believe that if you want to live in this society, you have to follow certain rules of conduct that you may not like.
Then I withdraw my consent, fair enough. I will comply with the goofy rules I am inundated with (until something better comes along) to the extent that I won't be put in a cage for refusing to play ball with my abusers.
But, the majority of us do.
Could it be because no other choices are offered to them?
If you don't like that system, maybe you should move to that place where they do.
New Hampshire sounds good right now. No state income tax, minimal government interference, and legions of peaceful freedom loving anarchists, moving there.
I, personally, don't know where it might be because when someone is so faaaaaaar off base with the rest of society, there's just no RATIONAL way for them to find their way back.
Now those are some forests that I wouldn't mind being lost in. You can keep finding my "way back" from that.
When we start getting offered some real choices I truly feel that even you will like the results. Of course you can't appreciate the fantastic goodness, Carl, of a perfectly prepared prime rib steak if all you've ever eaten in your life was baloney sandwiches on raunchy old stale bread.
Thank you very much, Mr. Conrad for your input. I've gotten the opportunity to talk about not just once, but twice to talk about food. For that I feel truly blessed.
With Liberty,
Dan Steward
Posted By: trd
Date: 2008-12-09 10:47:51
Dan, I wish the state didn't have a claim on me. But the fact of the matter is that they do. Since birth we are 'branded' with the birth certificates and social security number. Then using that number they have a claim on us even after we die. Now will come the national ID card.
As much as I would like a free voluntary society, the reality is that statism is alive and growing. Every year there are more claims on us
If you don't believe me, then just stop paying your social security and income taxes and see what happens. Only a few have gotten away with not paying them and winning in court, the rest of those heroes (or 'tax cheats' to Carl) are in jail. In the mean time, we have to comply with these forced rules or we lose even more freedom because they lock us in their dungeons.
Unless of course you want to do some civil disobedience on behalf of the rest of us and go to jail for not paying taxes and refusing to comply. You will be a hero in our minds but you will be in jail nevertheless. It's a tough call!
Posted By: Master C
Date: 2008-12-09 13:52:50
Dan,
I'll just offer one more attempt to help you understand that you're really out there in cuckooland with your poorly thought out assertions. Even in trying to respond to me, you barely scratch the surface of what I've said ~ not that that surprises me. I don't think you really have the depth or conviction to understand anything that isn't already entombed in that block of cement in which you keep your inviolate principles ~ which, of course we know, are 100% "rational"! Ha! Ha! Like when you said: "People (not all of them, of course) are good. They are charitable and kind with a deep sense of empathy as we are talking of our fellow human beings. Ordinary people have not lost track of that although the state can't even gain a tiny grasp on such a contention." (I think you more accurately mean "of such a conviction", but we'll let you write your own stuff.) If that's a "rational" statement, you must also think that the Sun rises in the East and sets in the West ~ instead of knowing that the Sun doesn't move at all, relative to the Earth, it's the Earth that revolves around the Sun. In the first place, it isn't "rational" to think that some people are "good" and some people are "bad". Rationally, we're all really a COMBINATION of good and bad.
But, to offer an even clearer example of what I'm saying, here's your own responses ~ with my statements highlighted as you highlighted them ~ to show how bizarre your understanding of the English language is:
You talk about "the State" like it's a PERSON with living, breathing motives.
So what you're saying, Carl, (if I understand you) is that the state has no "people" administrating it? (By the way, is there really such a word as "administrating"? Ha! Ha! That's a new one on me. I'll have to quick use it in a sentence.) The government is human beings (or what passes for them) plain and simple.
A county owned snow plow or a state office building has no power to push me around or suck money from my wallet.
In some ways, just like people talk about "the economy", like it's a thing ~ instead of billions of decisions being made simultaneously by independent minds.
It must have hurt you badly to say the term "independent minds" or maybe you're starting to get it, Mr. Conrad.
This is such a tepid, babyish response that I thought I should probably just let your own drivel reveal your own thoughts. If you can't see that by saying that "the State" does this and "the State" does that, it's putting a unified, conspiratorial, single-thought mind and body to something that consists of hundreds of thousands of "independent" minds and thoughts, each voluntarily contributing their best judgments, then you don't have a grasp of government at all. While the rest of us are voting, advising, contributing, revising, COMPROMISING, you think that if things aren't going YOUR WAY, then eveyone is deluded and doing things that are illegal. Ha! Ha! That should be a sure symptom that you're WRONG, but you treat it like it's a badge of purity!
The fact ~ as you yourself said ~ that "the government is human beings" should wake you up to the idea that "the State" is a COLLECTION of legally made, independent decisions, not a unilateral edict that you seem to think "has a CLAIM on you".
And to make some kind of fake insinuation about it hurting ME to say something about "independent minds" shows that you haven't recognized the courage, the stamina, and the unwavering conviction of my own INDEPENDENCE to the pack of Libertarian hounds who roam this website attacking anyone who differs from them. I know about "independent minds" much more than someone who hides among his cohorts and dares not venture an opinion that disturbs the pack. You're as lock-step as a troop of SS officers!
You also drone on about "no other choices being offered" to people. Only someone with their ears plugged, their eyes covered, and their brain inactivated could think ~ or assert! ~ that people don't have choices in this country! You'd have to be the dimmest bulb in the room to think something like that. Of course, that may be the case. People are given hundreds, if not thousands, of choices ~ economically, politically, philosophically, socially, blah, blah, blah. What you MEAN is that because they aren't choosing YOUR choice, they aren't given any, and that's totally untrue ~ as are MANY of your assertions. They're given the choice to think as YOU do, but they REJECT IT. We've heard your ideas, and we think they stink! Now maybe you don't like that, and maybe you want to run around and insist that we're all just MORONS, but the fact is that we don't think your ideas are something we want. If you don't believe it, look at the voting totals.
Those who refuse to see the Sun when it's shining don't deserve its benefits. You're just lucky that if anything happens to you someone, in our benevolence, will offer you a helping hand. That's more than you, in your "100% rational" stupor would probably do for someone else unless it's in your self interest.
Master C