Freedom News Blitz

Doesn’t it amaze you that people look outside of themselves for the answers to life’s problems? One of the worse places they seek answers is the government. Of course, plenty of greedy, altruistic people promise to supply the solutions. One quick glance at the state of our economy tells us this is not the place to look.

During Ronald Reagan’s inaugural address delivered on January 20, 1981 he said “In this present crisis, government is not the solution to our problems; government is the problem.” Apparently, these words of wisdom eventually vanished in a haze of illusion.

Let’s face it. Governments are quite efficient at creating poverty, misery, death and destruction. What they are totally inept at is creating wealth and prosperity for their citizens.

Because the “Government ought to do something” illusion persists I’m bring back an article I wrote early last year with some minor editing.

Here it is.

People act as if the government possesses magical powers that can solve our individual and social ills. All this mythical entity has to do is wave its wand and all our problems vanish in a blink of an eye. I know, most people would state this belief is ridiculous. However, is that what they really think? I can prove the majority of people act as if this were true.

How many times have you heard someone say “Government ought to do something?” I don’t know about you, but I’ve been hearing this statement all my life. If you ask them what government should do, they tell you that they don’t know—but government ought to do something.

When enough people believe in “The Big Myth” or what some call “The Big Lie” there will always be charlatans that claim they know what ought to be done. These charlatans usually practice lifetime occupations called politician, intellectual, bureaucrat, world-improver, do-gooder, altruist, etc. Government needs the support and propaganda of these “professionals” to endow “The Big Myth” with a potency of its own. Of course, the deluded citizens wait in line to receive their shot of the “cure.”

What Government Is Not

Government is not some real life Santa Claus that dispenses gifts upon its citizens— despite the fact that intellectuals and altruists claim otherwise. It may seem that government is performing this magical feat, but this is an illusion of limited consciousness.

Here are the facts.

1. Government has absolutely no wealth of its own. It definitely cannot create any wealth. The only money it possesses is money it receives from its citizens through taxes and inflation. It can also sell bonds on the open market; however, it is obvious the funds it receives from this operation is diverted from productive ventures into government coffers.

2. Since it has no wealth of its own, how is it possible it can dispense “goodies” to its citizens? There is only one way. It extracts the “gifts” from its citizens. When the hapless voters support another government program and vote for politicians who “promise” to institute it—they are unwittingly confiscating themselves.

3. Government is obviously not a Santa Claus figure. It is actually an evil Robin Hood. Even the supposedly good Robin Hood is a thief. Forcibly taking from an individual or group to give to another individual or group is immoral—no matter what justification do-gooders and altruists spout to support it.

The Nature of Government – What It Is

1. Government is the apparatus of violent compulsion and coercion (force). Its only legitimate function is to protect an individual’s life, liberty and property.

2. Voluntary and involuntary exchanges are the two possible types of interaction between people. In a voluntary exchange, all parties enter it of their free will. Government should not interfere in this type of exchange. In an involuntary exchange, at least one party is in it against his or her will. Robbery, rape, murder, extortion, etc. are examples of involuntary exchanges. Government applies its apparatus of violent compulsion and coercion to arrest criminals involved in these anti-social acts. It is government’s only legitimate function.

3. When people see social phenomena they disapprove of—social phenomena that results from voluntary exchanges—they often say “Government ought to do something.” What they need to realize is they are supporting the use of violent compulsion and coercion against their fellow citizens. They are advocating liberty violations and restrictions against individual freedom. They have become liberty violators.

Conclusion

As you can see the statement “Government ought to do something” is dangerous and leads to massive violations of an individual’s life, liberty and property. In fact the disastrous results we are experiencing in the form of economic crisis, war, restrictions on personal freedom, etc. are caused by the growth of that gigantic, destructive entity called “Big Government.” Its citizens have allowed a “mythical belief”, a simple five-word sentence to create a beast of mythical proportions that threatens to permanently destroy “The American Dream.”

Robert A. Meyer
The Libertarian Way

I just read an article called Why We Need a Second Stimulus. Here are the first two paragraphs of that article.

“How high the market can go during this rally is anyone’s guess, but yesterday’s global pullback should not be underestimated. While such pullbacks are quite healthy after several weeks of market advances, yesterday’s market retreat could be one of many to come if the government doesn’t pass a second stimulus package.

The market has already priced in the fact that our economy and financial institutions are no longer heading for a permanent abyss; we can thank Fed Chairman Bernanke and the first stimulus for that. But as I look at the economic data, I am coming to one conclusion — no one is spending any money these days except the government. More important, it appears that consumers will continue to save more and spend less for the foreseeable future.”

Can you believe this dangerous nonsense? If blatant violations of Economic Law pass for wisdom then we are all doomed. Is it any wonder our economy is on the verge of collapse?

First of all, the author of this article seems concerned that consumers will continue to save more and spend less for the foreseeable future. Let me ask you this. What in the hell is wrong with that? After all, economic progress is only possible with more savings and investment per capita. Anyway, didn’t all the phony Federal Reserve money created through artificially low interest rates cause our economic catastrophe in the first place?

Doesn’t it amaze you that the political and financial establishment believes you can cure overspending and excessive debt with more spending and more debt? If you value your economic health, you definitely need to ignore these financial quacks.

By the way, let’s give Fed Chairman Ben Bernanke a hearty round of applause for “saving” our financial institutions. I know you’re thrilled that as a taxpayer you must pick up the tab. Hey, guess what? Wall Street and the political establishment will celebrate the holidays joyously splashing around in a drunken orgy of bonuses (funded by you) and boondoggles (which rip you off) while you scrimp to feed your family.

If the government finally destroys the economy, leaving us with nothing to spend for Thanksgiving and Christmas, I guess we can still celebrate our spiritual beliefs. Of course, it’s possible the great “God State” could make us bow down to our “leaders”—and I’m not talking about Jesus, Buddha, Krishna or Mohammed. You know it’ll be Heil Obama or bless you Barney Frank and Nancy Pelosi for leaving us a few crumbs for our Thanksgiving dinner.

Once again I must explain why the government cannot create wealth. The truth of the matter is the government does not create any wealth— it redistributes it through inflation and taxation. To the superficial observer, the government appears altruistic when it buys mortgages and injects capital into banks to alleviate the hardships of homeowners and banks.

As I have stated on many occasions, social altruism amounts to nothing but theft—the transfer of wealth from productive to non-productive citizens. When government bails some out of trouble, it does it at the expense of innocent people.

The economist Dr. Arthur Laffer, famous for his “Laffer Curve” concerning rates of taxation, states that every $100 billion in bailout money requires at least $130 billion in taxes.

Now where does the other $30 billion go? It is the cost for getting the government involved. In other words, it goes into the bottomless pockets of government bureaucrats. Our beloved political and financial establishment transfers $130 billion from the hapless taxpayers (you and I) to the government and special interest groups. We should relegate the “government creating wealth” myth to the same place as the “Tooth Fairy, Easter Bunny and Santa Claus” myths.

No! We do not need another stimulus. In fact, we didn’t need the first one. Isn’t it time we give up our childish belief in the “Santa Claus” or the “Nanny” state? Shouldn’t we think, feel and act as rational adults think, feel and act?

Robert A. Meyer
The Libertarian Way

The marketplace supplies goods and services quite efficiently when governments do not interfere with its smooth functioning. It amazes me that people actually believe the government improves their lives with its heavy-handed interventions. Honestly, do you see any evidence that any government program actually works? Doesn’t our current economic crisis demonstrate conclusively that governments destroy wealth?

Maybe you believe I’m too critical of the government. You might be thinking that our political and financial leaders have our best interests at heart. Personally, I don’t see any evidence of this; but if you can supply some, you’re welcome to comment on this article.

Anyway, let’s define interventionism.

Interventionism is the practice of government interference in the marketplace. The government legally hampers the market economy.

Ask this question. If you hamper something, does it work as efficiently? Obviously it doesn’t. In fact, it works less efficiently.

Do you get the idea? When the government interferes with the decisions individuals make in their buying and selling in the marketplace, it decreases the satisfaction these individuals receive.

Here’s what the government actually accomplishes with it massive interventions in the marketplace.

Ludwig von Mises stated an eternal truth in his magnum opus “Human Action”, “The essence of the interventionist policy is to take from one group to give to another. It is confiscation and redistribution.” The government’s two favorite methods of extracting wealth from its citizens are taxation and inflation—relentlessly resorting to these until there is no more money to pick off the bones of the hapless citizen. Then it will be from “dust to dust” with the dust of our civilization finally blowing off into eternity.

Sometimes I wish I didn’t have to inform you of the facts. Personally, I favor positive thinking and an optimistic attitude. You know, no matter what the political and financial establishment saddles us with, we can enjoy life. The Libertarian Way offers you an integrated philosophy of life that is pleasurable and fulfilling. You definitely can accomplish your goals, fantasies and desires whether times are good or times are bad.

Our government is committed to obliterating all the values that made America the greatest country of all time. Because of this tragic fact, you have to be the best you can be. You strengthen your body, mind and spirit. You make sure your thoughts, feelings and actions harmonize with reality.

Certainly, our political and financial leaders exist in a world of illusion. They even attempt to brainwash you with their delusions. Fortunately, we do not have to accept their “quack” economic theories and floating abstractions. However, we must make sure we are best friends with reality. Only then do we take the correct actions to achieve our goals and desires.

Robert A. Meyer
The Libertarian Way

You’ve probably noticed that people act as if the government possesses magical powers that can solve all of our individual and social ills. All this mythical entity has to do is wave its wand and all our problems vanish in a blink of an eye. I know, most people would state this belief is ridiculous. However, is that what they really think? I can prove that the majority of people act as if this were true.

Do you remember hearing anyone make the thoughtless statement “Government ought to do something?” I don’t know about you, but I’ve been hearing that dangerous statement all my life. If you ask them what government should do, they tell you they don’t know, but government ought to do something.

Consider this sad fact about human nature. When enough people believe in “The Big Myth” or what some call “The Big Lie” there will always be charlatans that claim they know what ought to be done. These charlatans usually practice lifetime occupations called politician, intellectual, bureaucrat, world-improver, do-gooder, altruist, etc. Government needs the support and propaganda of these “professionals” to endow “The Big Myth” with a potency of its own. Of course, the deluded citizens wait in line to receive their shot of the “cure.”

Government is Definitely Not…

Government is definitely not a real life Santa Claus who dispenses wondrous gifts upon its citizens. I know. Intellectuals and altruists claim otherwise. To the superficial observer, it may seem that government is performing this magical feat; however this is an illusion of limited consciousness.

Here are the facts.

1. Government has absolutely no wealth of its own. It is unable to create any wealth. The only money it possesses is money it receives from its citizens through taxes and inflation. It can also sell bonds on the open market, diverting the funds it receives from productive ventures to useless bureaucratic endeavors.
2. Since it has no wealth of its own, how is it possible that it can dispense the “goodies” to its citizens? By taking the “gifts” from its citizens in the first place. Incredible as it may seem, the hapless voters are unwittingly confiscating themselves when they support another government program and vote for politicians who “promise” to institute it.
3. Try to visualize this. Government is not the Santa Claus figure it claims to be. It is actually an evil Robin Hood. Robin Hood may be a legend, but he is a thief just the same. Forcibly taking from an individual or group to give to another individual or group is immoral, no matter what justification do-gooders and altruists spout to support it.

What is the Nature of Government?

Here’s the truth.

1. Government is the apparatus of violent compulsion and coercion (force). Its only legitimate function is to protect an individual’s life, liberty and property.
2. Voluntary and involuntary exchanges are the two possible types of interaction between people. In a voluntary exchange all parties enter it of their free will. Obviously, government shouldn’t interfere with this type of exchange. In an involuntary exchange at least one party is in it against his or her will. Robbery, rape, murder, extortion, etc. are examples of involuntary exchanges. Government applies its apparatus of violent compulsion and coercion to arrest criminals involved in these anti-social acts. Certainly, this is government’s only legitimate function.
3. When people see social phenomena they disapprove of, social phenomena that results from voluntary exchanges, they often say “Government ought to do something.” What they need to realize is that they are supporting the use of violent compulsion and coercion against their fellow citizens. They are advocating liberty violations and restrictions against individual freedom. They have become liberty violators.

Conclusion

As you can see the statement “Government ought to do something” is dangerous and leads to massive violations of an individual’s life, liberty and property. In fact, the disastrous results we are experiencing in the form of economic crisis, war, restrictions on personal freedom, etc. are caused by the growth of that gigantic, destructive entity called “Big Government.” Its citizens have allowed a “mythical belief”, a simple five-word sentence to create a beast of monstrous proportions, a beast that is relentlessly destroying “The American Dream.”

Robert A. Meyer
http://libertarianway.com/