Tag: Rugged Individualists
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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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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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Personal Freedom V The Group’s Freedom: Who Should Win?
The word “freedom” is like the word “God”. Ask ten people what it is, you’ll get ten different answers. And just like the idea of “God” is limitless, so, too, is the idea of freedom. That would be awesome if everyone’s idea of “God” was the same. We’d all be talking about the same creator-of-everything…
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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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Americans Despise Paying Taxes Because They Perceive It As Money For Nothing
Ask just about any American “What do you get for your tax dollars” and I’ll bet you next year’s minuscule tax refund they’ll reply “Nothing. We get NOTHING!” There’s even a chance they’ll spit, too. Several times. Want to lose an election? Tell an American you’re raising his taxes. Doesn’t matter what the raised taxes…