Tag: Libertarianism
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Rugged Individualists Are An American Myth
We Americans love tall tales. In a sense, our whole country IS a tall tale. It’s a story about dreams coming true. One tall tale we tell ourselves is the story of the rugged individualist. You know him – he’s the white guy with a big idea. Give him ample freedom? He’ll deliver! Who will…
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Democracy Is “Use It Or Lose It”
Winston Churchill famously said “democracy is the worst form of government – except for all the others that have been tried”. He said that after being voted out of office at the end of World War Two. Despite his cynicism (born of losing an election), he was right. Democracy is damned hard to pull off.…
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There’s No Such Thing As A “Rugged Individual”
There’s a line in the movie “The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance” that nails it: “When legend becomes fact, print the legend”. The “rugged individual” is pure legend. Only men ever think of themselves as “rugged individuals” who believe down to their atoms that “they alone can fix it”. They’re absolutely wrong, of course —…
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Hey, Rand Paul — Thanks For Reminding Us — Libertarians Are Selfish Little Boys
In the Pantheon Of Bullshit, Libertarianism has its own vestibule. This is from the Institute For Humane Studies at George Mason University: “The libertarian perspective is that peace, prosperity, and social harmony are fostered by “as much liberty as possible” and “as little government as necessary.” Or, put another way: “You’re not the boss of…
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WE Alone Can Fix It
The Big Lie that helped bring us the Age Of Trump flows from that wellspring of bullshit — Libertarianism. “I alone can fix it” is laughably absurd. But, as much as some of us roared the first time Donald Trump spewed those words, some in the crowd — their ears perked up. They, too, think…