Nov 20, 2008

Why the State is the Enemy of the People

Why do many libertarians reject the legitimacy of the State? The answer is that, unlike the majority of the population, libertarians generally understand what the State is. George Washington came close to the point when he said, "government is force, not reason." Murray Rothbard has an even better definition of the State in his essay The Anatomy of the State:

Briefly, the State is that organization in society which attempts to maintain a monopoly of the use of force and violence in a given territorial area; in particular, it is the only organization in society that obtains its revenue not by voluntary contribution or payment for services rendered but by coercion. While other individuals or institutions obtain their income by production of goods and services and by the peaceful and voluntary sale of these goods and services to others, the State obtains its revenue by the use of compulsion; that is, by the use and the threat of the jailhouse and the bayonet.

Nov 18, 2008

Walter Block Defends Telling the Truth

The Austrian economist from Loyola University in New Orleans, Walter Block, got into some trouble with the Department of Economics at Loyola in Baltimore after he gave an invited lecture concerning the topic of "social justice." Apparently, Block made some un-PC remarks about wage determination and a few Loyola Economists deemed Block some kind of racist, sexist pig. The entire incident is absurd especially since Block has given this lecture many times in the past without much of a fuss. In fact, the lecture is available on Mises.org. Block has challenged the Economics Department at Loyola in Baltimore to a debate to settle the issue. 

There is an interesting radio interview with Dr. Block given by a Baltimore station along with an article summarizing the controversy. It appears that Loyola in Baltimore is much more concerned with diversity in race, gender, and outside appearance than they are with fostering diversity of knowledge and viewpoints. Unfortunately, the school (like many others around the Nation) seem especially hostile to views that are not politically correct even if the views are factually correct.

Paul on Fox Business News 11/18/2008

Again, speaking the truth, Ron Paul makes many good points.

Paul versus Bernanke : 11/18/2008

Nov 16, 2008

A Small Government Republican?

There seems to be at least one reasonable Republican governor out there. South Carolina governor, Mark Sanford, gives all the right answers to the Wall Street Journal in regards to the bailout bonanza going on in DC. He also has some great ideas of what the federal government could do (or maybe undo) instead:
However, there is something Congress can do: free states from federal mandates. South Carolina will spend about $425 million next year meeting federal unfunded mandates. The increase in the minimum wage alone will cost the state $2.6 million and meeting Homeland Security's REAL ID requirements will cost $8.9 million.

Nov 13, 2008

Government Money Hole

The Onion debates this important issue...


In The Know: Should The Government Stop Dumping Money Into A Giant Hole?

Nov 12, 2008

The Future of the GOP

Ron Paul hits the nail on the head with this piece he wrote for CNN:
Since the new alignment of political power offers no real change, we will remain on the same track without even a pretense of slowing the growth of government. With the new administration we can expect things to go from bad to worse.

Opportunity abounds for anyone who can present the case for common sense in fiscal affairs, for protection of civil liberties here at home, and avoiding the senseless foreign entanglements which have bogged us down for decades and contributed so significantly to our fiscal and budgetary crisis.

Nov 11, 2008

How Close Are We To Communism?

Economist Robert Higgs of the Independent Institute tries to find out. It should not be too surprising that the communists want a progressive income tax and a central banking system.

Nov 10, 2008

AIG Gets More Bailout Money

Here is Ron Paul's Take...

Nov 9, 2008

King-elect Obama to Use Executive Orders

The associated press has a very disturbing story on how Obama plans to use executive orders to bypass Congress and make an immediate impact on your life. So get ready for change.