Wherein I master the magic of the Enemy in support of liberty. by C.S. Milsted, Jr.
(libertarian)
Tuesday, December 21, 2010
Just call me Saruman. Or Skywalker if you prefer bad science fiction to good fantasy. Since renouncing my vows to the Order of Saint Murray, I've been studying the arts of the Enemy, and find they are powerful indeed. I am now ready to employ them in the cause of liberty. The Order's strict discipline once appealed to my youthful idealism, but my hair is starting to gray, and government grows. Deficits are measured in trillions and surly goblins grope our airline passengers. The monks of the Order are not getting the job done.
The cause of liberty is too important to fight with half my brain tied behind my back. No longer shall I constrain myself to narrow axioms or walk the Path of Praxeology. Nay, I shall unleash the primitive parts of my brain: patriotism, practicality and generosity. If this leads me to the Dark Side or to building an evil tower filled with Uruk Hai, so what? The cost is sunk. The United States is becoming France or worse without my help. If I end up joining the other side it furthers their aims no more than my sitting on the sidelines or fighting for liberty with insufficient powers. I shall steal the Enemy's magic and use it for a better cause.
I shall invoke generosity in the cause of liberty. Long have Libertarian monks lamented their lack of this powerful force. "We lose because we cannot promise largesse!" they protest correctly. I am going all in, promising free money from the government, just like the Enemy, only it will be unconditional money. You need not sell your soul or fill out tedious forms to get your check. Vote for my half-libertarian Uruk Hai and the largesse shall flow freely, without strings attached. You can take your free money for college, and use it to start a business instead. Soaking the rich and nanny state meddling are separable ideas.
Yes, my unprincipled scheme violates principles of natural rights. But so does doing without wealth transfer, for the current wealth distribution reflects centuries of injustice. "Sunk cost!" I declare and unleash my legions of Uruks Hai half-libertarians. "Let us loot the rich and liberate!"
Liberate I say. Though I shall tax, it shall be with simple taxes, taxes which preserve privacy, and taxes which punish negative externalities. Wealth transfer need not mean wealth management. The rich may be taxed but they can spend what is left as they see fit. The masses may enjoy a government check, but they can also work, marry and save without penalty.
You think taxes raised is the true measure of government? Compare last year's Denmark with the old Confederate States of America. Which raised more taxes? Which was more just? Or consider education. Today the government not only taxes the wealthy to educate the poor, the government owns and runs the schools as well. Replace public education with free money for students and millions of school teachers join the private sector.
I could go on with how I plan to abolish Obamacare and the compulsory wage slavery which preceded it, or the details on how I will simplify the tax code and deal with Social Security. But that would excessive gloating. I need to finish my tower first, and breed more Uruks to carry out my unprincipled plans.
Theoretical libertarians and socialists alike beware. A new Power arises on the eastern plains!
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