Month: September 2024

Where are we now?

“Where Slavery is, there Liberty cannot be; and where Liberty is, there Slavery cannot be.”

-Sukarno

Remember our scale from maximum freedom to slavery? So where are the people of the US on this scale?

First let’s look at how the libertarian views freedom again:

  • No government interference: Individuals are free from any form of government control, including laws, regulations, or taxation.
  • Self-governance: Individuals are responsible for governing themselves, making their own choices, and managing their own affairs.
  • No coercion: Individuals cannot be coerced or forced to do anything against their will.
  • Individual sovereignty: Each individual is considered a sovereign entity, with the ultimate authority over their own life and actions.

A libertarian believes anarchy is not chaos and that individual freedom is maximized in an anarchic society. They base this on several key principles:

  1. Individualism: Libertarians emphasize individualism, believing that individuals are rational and capable of making their own choices. They argue that people are more likely to act responsibly when they have freedom and autonomy.
  2. Spontaneous Order: Libertarians believe in the concept of spontaneous order, which suggests that complex social systems can emerge from the interactions of individuals pursuing their own interests. They argue that markets and other social institutions can develop without centralized authority.
  3. Non-Aggression Principle: This principle states that individuals should not initiate force or fraud against others. Libertarians believe that this principle, if universally followed, would create a peaceful and harmonious society without the need for government.
  4. Limited Government: Libertarians argue that government intervention often leads to unintended consequences and erodes individual freedom. They believe that a limited government, or even no government at all, would allow individuals to flourish and create a more prosperous and just society.
  5. Private Property Rights: Libertarians strongly support private property rights, arguing that individuals have the right to own and control their own property without interference from the government or others. They believe that this encourages economic activity and innovation.

In summary, libertarians believe that anarchy is not chaos because:

  • Individuals are rational and capable of self-governance.
  • Spontaneous order can emerge from the interactions of individuals.
  • The non-aggression principle can prevent violence and conflict.
  • Government intervention is often harmful and unnecessary.
  • Private property rights are essential for individual freedom and prosperity.

On the other hand, slavery is the epitome of government control.

Slavery represents the ultimate form of government control over individual liberty.

Here’s a breakdown of how this occurs:

  1. Complete Deprivation of Freedom:
    • Physical: Enslaved individuals have no control over their bodies or movements. They can be bought, sold, or forced into labor against their will.
    • Mental: Their thoughts, choices, and even family relationships are subject to the whims of their owners.
  2. Forced Labor:
    • Economic exploitation: Enslaved individuals are forced to work without compensation, providing economic benefits to their owners.
    • Lack of choice: They have no say in the type of work they do, the conditions they endure, or the hours they labor.
  3. Denial of Basic Rights:
    • Human dignity: Slavery strips individuals of their fundamental human rights, including the right to life, liberty, and property.
    • Legal status: Enslaved individuals are treated as property rather than human beings, with no legal protection or recourse.
  4. Family Separation:
    • Emotional trauma: Families are often torn apart, causing immense emotional suffering and trauma.
    • Control over reproduction: Enslaved individuals have no control over their reproductive choices, with children often becoming property of their owners.
  5. Violence and Abuse:
    • Physical and psychological harm: Enslaved individuals are subjected to physical violence, abuse, and psychological torment.
    • Fear and intimidation: The constant threat of violence is used to maintain control and obedience.

In essence, slavery is a system that completely erases individual liberty. It denies individuals the right to make choices about their own lives, work, and relationships. It forces them into a state of servitude, subjecting them to the absolute control of their owners. This is the most extreme form of government control, as it not only restricts individual liberty but also dehumanizes and exploits individuals.

Indentured Servitude is the current state of the American population.

We are inexorably moving toward slavery:

  • Individuals are controlled through excessive regulations and law. Every person unknowingly commits at least three felonies every day. This is a denial of basic rights.
  • “Choice” has been removed from our daily lives. The government tells us what to eat and drink, what to buy, and how to live our lives.
  • Government holds the threat of violence and imprisonment over the heads of the population. People are imprisoned for voicing their opinion if it is not the official point of view of the current regime. This is violence and abuse.
  • Individual sovereignty no longer exists. Each of us owes our income to the government. Which means our “work” is for a “master” dwelling in the government. This is economic exploitation and forced labor.
  • Government intervention in the marketplace is rampant, the Federal Reserve creates bubbles and recessions at a whim.
  • Government intervention in our personal lives is excessive, telling us who can marry.
  • The authoritarians tell us what our morals should be, as the “woke” movement tells u what is acceptable thinking.
  • Those who disagree with the authoritarians are called “a basket of deplorables”.
  • Large corporations collude with the government to fix prices and force out competition. This is corporatism.
  • Regulatory agencies, that were not approved by the Constitution, rule over the lives of everyone, as agencies tell you exactly how to build your house.
  • Government employees refer to the money in their coffers as “their” money, when in truth it belongs to the taxpayers.
  • In the name of security, government constantly increase both surveillance and police presence. We are in the beginning stages of a police state.

Wake up America!!!

Happy Birthday!

Every year on your birthday, you get a chance to start new.

-Sammy Hagar

It’s been a year since I started this blog… WOOT!

Let’s review the reasons for creating this blog:

  • The United States is now an “aggressive irrational idiocracy”
  • Logic and reasoning have been thrown out for feelings
  • People lack critical thinking skills
  • Logical fallacies and cognitive biases abound
  • Individual research is non existent

Ah, hyperbole and overgeneralization, but these points are arguably still valid.

Over the past year I have:

  • Covered 11 cognitive biases, how to recognize them and avoid them
  • Covered 13 logical falllacies, how to recognize them and avoid them
  • Started a series on a christian libertarian based view of the political spectrum

Only more and better to come!

-Dr. Rob

Very Appealing

“Truth for authority, not authority for truth.”

Lucretia Mott

Logical Fallacies: Appeal to Authority and Appeal to Tradition

Logical fallacies are common errors in reasoning that can undermine the strength of an argument.

Appeal to Authority

What is it? An appeal to authority occurs when someone argues that a statement must be true because it is made by a respected or knowledgeable person. While experts can provide valuable insights, simply citing their authority without evidence or sound reasoning is fallacious.

Example:

  • “You should believe in climate change because Al Gore says it’s real.”

Why it’s fallacious:

  • Expertise doesn’t guarantee accuracy: Even experts can make mistakes or be influenced by biases.
  • Lack of evidence: Simply citing an authority figure doesn’t provide evidence to support the claim.
  • Circular reasoning: If the authority figure’s credibility is based on their belief in the claim, it becomes circular reasoning.

How to avoid it:

  • Examine the evidence: Evaluate the argument based on the supporting evidence, not just the source.
  • Consider the expertise: Assess whether the authority figure has relevant expertise in the field.
  • Look for alternative perspectives: Seek out information from multiple sources to get a balanced view.

Appeal to Tradition

What is it? An appeal to tradition occurs when someone argues that something is true or should be done because it has been done in the past or is a tradition. This fallacy assumes that tradition is inherently good or correct, regardless of its merits.

Example:

  • “We should continue to use traditional teaching methods because they’ve worked for generations.”

Why it’s fallacious:

  • Changing times: Traditions may not be relevant or effective in modern contexts.
  • Lack of evidence: Simply because something has been done in the past doesn’t mean it’s the best way to do it.
  • Preservation of status quo: Appealing to tradition can be used to resist progress or change.

How to avoid it:

  • Evaluate the merits: Assess whether the tradition is still relevant and effective in the current situation.
  • Consider alternatives: Explore new approaches that might be more beneficial.
  • Avoid emotional appeals: Focus on logical arguments based on evidence rather than relying on nostalgia or sentiment.

By understanding these fallacies, you can better evaluate arguments and avoid being swayed by faulty reasoning.

© 2025 Free Thought

Theme by Anders NorenUp ↑