Category: Issues

“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!!!

The terms “conservative” and “liberal” are cornerstones of political discourse. Yet, their meanings are far from static. They evolve across time, geography, and cultural context. Let’s delve into how these labels have morphed and what they represent in different parts of the world today.

A Brief Historical Overview

• 18th-19th Centuries: The terms emerged during the Age of Enlightenment. “Conservatives” often favored tradition, monarchy, and established religious institutions. “Liberals” championed individual rights, limited government, and free markets.
• 20th Century: The labels became more closely associated with economic systems. “Conservatives” generally supported capitalism and less government intervention, while “Liberals” leaned towards social welfare programs and regulations.
• Today: The lines have blurred considerably. Both labels encompass a wide range of views on social, economic, and environmental issues.

Cultural Variations: A Snapshot

The meaning of “conservative” and “liberal” can vary dramatically depending on where you are in the world:

• United States:
  • Conservatives: Often emphasize individual liberty, limited government, traditional family values, and a strong national defense. They may oppose abortion, same-sex marriage, and gun control.
  • Liberals: Generally support social justice, environmental protection, and government intervention to address inequality. They tend to favor abortion rights, LGBTQ+ rights, and stricter gun laws.
• Europe:
  • Conservatives: Can range from fiscal conservatives focused on economic stability to social conservatives who uphold traditional values. Some European conservative parties may be more supportive of social welfare programs than their American counterparts.
  • Liberals: Prioritize individual freedoms, secularism, and multiculturalism. They often support environmental protection, social justice initiatives, and a stronger European Union.
• Asia:
  • Conservatives: Often emphasize cultural traditions, family values, and respect for authority. They may be wary of rapid social change and Western influence.
  • Liberals: Tend to advocate for modernization, economic development, and individual rights. They may be more open to Western ideas and cultural exchange.

Key Takeaways

• Dynamic Labels: “Conservative” and “liberal” are not fixed ideologies. They are constantly evolving and adapting to new challenges and cultural contexts.
• Context is Key: The meaning of these labels can differ significantly depending on the country, region, or even the specific issue being discussed.
• Beyond the Binary: Many individuals hold views that don’t fit neatly into either category. The political spectrum is far more complex than a simple left-right divide.

The Way Forward: Embracing Nuance

Instead of getting bogged down in rigid definitions, let’s strive for a more nuanced understanding of political labels. Let’s engage in respectful dialogue, challenge assumptions, and recognize the diversity of thought that exists within both “conservative” and “liberal” camps. By doing so, we can foster a more inclusive and informed political discourse.

The left-right political spectrum is a overly simplified model for classifying political ideologies and positions, primarily based on views about social equality and hierarchy, economic systems, and the role of government. It’s important to note that this is a very broad categorization, and individual views rarely fit neatly into these categories.

The Left:

• Core values: Social equality, progress, social justice, government intervention to address inequality, welfare programs, environmental protection, internationalism.
• Economic views: Tend to favor more regulation of the economy, higher taxes on the wealthy, social programs to address poverty and inequality, and sometimes, government ownership of key industries.
• Social views: Advocate for equal rights and opportunities for all groups, often supporting progressive causes like LGBTQ+ rights, abortion rights, environmentalism, and multiculturalism.
• Examples of ideologies: Socialism, social democracy, progressivism, left-libertarianism, anarchism, communism.

The Center:

• Core values: A mix of left and right values, pragmatism, moderation, compromise, incremental change.
• Economic views: A mix of free market principles and government intervention, aiming for a balance between economic growth and social welfare.
• Social views: Can vary, often holding moderate views on social issues, emphasizing individual liberty and social responsibility.
• Examples of ideologies: Centrism, Third Way, moderate conservatism, moderate liberalism.

The Right:

• Core values: Social hierarchy, tradition, order, individual liberty, free markets, limited government intervention.
• Economic views: Tend to favor free market capitalism, lower taxes, deregulation, and limited social programs.
• Social views: Often emphasize traditional values, individual responsibility, and a strong national identity. May be skeptical of government intervention in social issues and advocate for stricter law and order policies.
• Examples of ideologies: Conservatism, libertarianism, neoliberalism, nationalism, fascism (in extreme cases).

Important Considerations:

• Complexity: People’s views rarely fit neatly into these categories, and they can vary depending on the specific issue. For example, someone might be economically conservative but socially liberal.
• Cultural Differences: The meaning of “left” and “right” can vary across cultures and historical contexts.
• Evolution: Political ideologies are not static; they develop over time and in response to changing circumstances.

Problems with this Model:

• Core values don’t match examples
• Economic views don’t match examples
• Left, right, liberal and conservative have changed over time (as noted above)
• This spectrum does not allow for libertarian thought
• Outright philosophical contradictions

Left Examples:

• Socialism and Communism, both far left ideologies, are historically bad with environmental protection, multiculturism and addressing inequalities.
• Anarchism is does not really fit the definition of either right or left ideologies
• Socialism and Communism, both, have a tendency toward centralized control of the economy and the means of production.

On the Right:

• Fascism is a far cry from individual liberty, free markets and limited government intervention.
• Corporatism is major component of nationalism, yet contradicts with free markets and is not shown on the left to right continuum.