Topic: Politics
Destructive Distractions: Proper Labels and Precise Definitions I would find the whole thing merely absurd and amusing if not for the destructive consequences such nonsense inflicts on the defense of individual liberty.by Jahfre Fire Eater
(libertarian)
Saturday, September 5, 2009
Lately the Nolan Chart has been host to numerous articles and comment threads regarding labels and definitions. The trend is bigger than just Nolan Chart however. In today's political climate, the belief is anything that can be declared a "right" can be had for free! The media and blogs are full of folks arguing over what are rights, what are moral duties and what are "proper" labels for various points of view and political behavior. There are pledges and oaths being touted as miracle bonds of unity for just the right kinds of people. I would find the whole thing merely absurd and amusing if not for the destructive consequences such nonsense inflicts on the defense of individual liberty.
What are labels but carefully crafted mouthfuls that depend on an unachievable agreement over the various possible interpretations of the words that comprise them. They may be nifty intellectual distractions but that's about it. This seemingly useless but addictive distraction, labeling, is simply another manifestation of pervasive progressive indoctrination aimed at dividing and conquering opponents of progressive socialization.
It is not possible to be simultaneously consumed by pointless distraction and constructively participating in the daily struggle to defend liberty.
I certainly do not apply the label "libertarian" to myself even though the Nolan Chart quiz does so every time. I know specifically what behavior distinguishes me from libertarians. I have written about these things many times here in this column. If one must foist a label upon me I insist that it be "individual". Not Individualist or any other ist or ism. Let's see some quizzes that properly label an individual. They can't. They are only good for lumping folks together in herds defined by a divide-and-conquer strategy that undermines the struggle for the defense of liberty. The Progressive indoctrination shines through brightly and its victims don't even realize their part in it.
Meanwhile, progressives are doggedly pursuing local elected seats, turning every community into a collective of tax parasites. They create perpetual liabilities by implementing services and subsidies locally with money the Feds have stolen from the unborn. They dominate school boards, ensuring the continual dumbing down and indoctrinating our youth. They dominate fire departments; making pariahs out of volunteer firemen to glorify government paid fire mercenaries. Everywhere one looks, progressives and their unwitting enablers are encouraging local government to compete with all manner of free enterprise, charity and voluntarism.
My recommendation as an individual is to participate individually in constructive activities aimed at positioning electable candidates who defend liberty for local government seats. It takes regular constructive participation by individuals to create candidates who will defend the liberty of the individuals who got them elected. It takes using the most effective tools for the job even if you hate other people who choose that tool also. The only way to see that one's objectives are being pursued: ...pursue them, as an individual. I warn to beware of those who talk about individual liberty from the safety of a properly labeled herd.
The herd mentality and the divide-and-conquer strategy that most liberty-talkers gravitate toward are fine tools for encouraging self-marginalization. They are well honed for diminishing the power of the individual by encouraging them to spend their efforts hand-picking the most perfect label; one that suits their ego to a tee. Once chosen, the path of least resistance is followed as they join the herd of others who proudly wear the same label to nit pick over things the label doesn't define well enough. Once cocooned in their chosen herd, they are safely assumed to be no threat by the enemies of liberty. They know what the herd joiners don't: the only threat to collectivism is an individual exercising rights and defending liberty.
The enemies of liberty are adept at getting folks to avoid the work and discomfort necessary to groom liberty-defending candidates who can get elected. The trick was to train people to prefer these pointless pursuits over proven constructive behavior which is why the control of education was the first step. Our civilization has been trained to respect arbitrary distinctions such as segregating students by age and to shun true distinctions such as aptitude and capability. We have been trained to enjoy mindless shouting in large crowds over inconsequential issues such as who has the best teenage football team. We have been trained to seek comfort and courage from groups who are focused on the same irrelevant distinctions such as team colors, mascots and tradition.
It is impossible to be simultaneously consumed with the irrelevant minutia and constructively participating in the daily struggle to defend liberty.
I don't believe there is any way to reverse the momentum of progressive destruction that is heading our way. In the end the progressives always win. They can pursue their goals over lifetimes because they obliterate the individual. Most of those who vocally cherish liberty do it within the scope of their own ego; one lifetime to a customer with no lasting effects beyond the range of their own personality. What do the progressives always win? Their prize? Collapse of empire. Our prize? Another round of label definitions for future historians to ponder.
Of this I am certain, having the most perfect definitions will not undo a century of progressive indoctrination nor secure our liberty through the coming collapse.
-Jahfre Fire Eater
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