Anarchy and Capitialism

or Anarchy from a Capitalist's Mind and Musings

Last month I had one of those truly enlightening conversations. You know the kind. We were up into the wee hours of the morning and I had multiple thoughts and ideas that seemed to converge to make sense of years of study and research. One of them was about the role of the government.

Governments make and enforce laws and laws restrict freedoms in exchange for safety. The thing that governments do best is restrict freedom. And we as citizens of ANY government are trading in our freedoms and our agency for safety and security. It is my opinion that there are things far less valuable that I could be exchanging for safety - like money. Are you with me? Of all the things that government provides, is there anything that cannot be provided by private enterprise? I challenge you to think of one.

So as someone who holds her personal freedom and agency as the greatest (and only everlasting) thing I have, I find it the most valuable thing I have to trade and the only thing that I can't ever truly give up. It is sacrosanct.

So the conclusion was thus: Any government aside from self-government is evil and corrupt.*

Alas, as I know of no John Galt, Francisco d'Anconia, or Ragnar Danneskjöld who have built or are building a society free from oppression and hidden from the evils of the world, I find myself living in this one and grateful to have seen the polarity of the issue.

*Please don't misunderstand me. I fully recognize that we live in an era that requires government. I am in no way saying that I support the complete overthrow of ANY government. People need structure and boundaries and many are unable to create and adhere to boundaries of their own design. (For example, no matter how many times I give up cupcakes for the greater good of my waistline, I still find myself faced with the decision of how many I will eat when they are anywhere near me.) So, government is a necessary evil. I just wish the concept of personal freedom was one our law makers and government officials held in higher regard.

In A Way, It's A Penance

Nearly 8 years ago a cousin of mine said something to me that has stuck with me ever since. I'm not going to tell you what it was, because it was something that I judged him pretty harshly for. In fact, I've spent most of my life with a strong dislike for this family member of mine. I was never close with him even though we are only months apart in age. He always rubbed me the wrong way. Even when we were little he would tease me until I cried. And as adults, in our limited interactions with each other it seemed that we always disagreed and disapproved of each other. I've tried not to give it much thought and I've just brushed our mutual dislike for each other aside. But even though I haven't seen or talked to this cousin in years and probably won't have the opportunity to see or talk to him for many more years (unless my brother decides to get married - there's a slim chance I would see him then), I do think about him every now and then. Last night was one of those times. I thought back to this stupid thing he said to me almost a decade ago and realized that he was right. And for a moment I wanted to see him and talk to him again and tell him that after all this time, I finally got it. I now see exactly what he was talking about. But I'd also tell him that he's still a jackass.

Say It Loud, Say It Proud...

I am a Libertarian.

After much consideration, I've changed political parties. That's right, I am now a registered Libertarian (or will be when they get the registration form I sent in the mail).

The Era of the Celebrity

I think when we look back on this time as history it may be referred to as The Era of the Celebrity.

We (well, not me and you, more like "The Man") appoint comedians as senators:


Actors think they are experts on religion and medicine:


Or that they represent all of America with their political views:

Bodybuilder/actors are made governors (and then bankrupt their state):

Or are just plain worshiped as deity - if she doesn't like beef, then beef sales drop by millions:


And of course, let's not leave out the biggest celebrity of them all - at least the media thinks he is:


Photo sources:
Al Franken
Tom Cruise
Sean Penn
Arnold Schwarzenegger
Oprah
Obama

Ignorance May Be Bliss, But It's Going To Bankrupt Us

So I was at the local farmer's market yesterday and a group of people had set up a table with a bunch of pamphlets, buttons, stickers, etc. promoting "Obamacare." Now let me say, I completely support their right to assemble and speak out on an issue. I applaud them for their efforts and sacrifices in service of something they believe in. And even though I STRONGLY disagree I think it's noble that they want to help people. That being said, I just stopped by to take a quick look and see what kinds of things they were saying. I didn't address anybody and was planning on moving on quickly when a woman said she wanted to speak to me about this important issue. I politely declined but a guy came out of nowhere and began asking me questions. I told them that I didn't agree with socialized medicine and that I didn't want to argue, knowing they wouldn't change my opnion and I probably wouldn't change their's. Then the woman asked me:

"Don't you think Medicaid for everyone is a good idea?"

Silence. My thoughts: "Are you kidding me?!? Have you ever been on Medicaid? How about in the last ten years?"
My answer:

"No. I don't think Medicaid is a good idea."

There was more to the conversation, but this one question I just can't stop thinking about. Was she serious? Now I have been on Medicaid. For the last 5 years or so. During that whole time we have been students and I've had 2 pregnancies. We've used student insurance, but it doesn't cover everything so Medicaid covers the rest. If there was ANY other way, or if healthcare was affordable, I'd take it. Plus, when I was working, I paid plenty of taxes and my family all pay their taxes, so really I'm just finally getting that money back! But seriously. Medicaid is the WORST! There is virtually no customer service. I could go on and on about all the bad experiences I've had dealing with Medicaid, but I won't. Really, I just wanted to share the question with you. All I can think is: Ignorance must really be bliss.

It's So Sad

First of let me tell you how sick I am of hearing about how great it is that America has elected it's first black president. HELLO?!? It is just as prejudiced to vote for a man because he is black as it is to NOT vote for him for the same reason.

That being said, I think it is so incredible sad that our first black president will end up running our country into the ground.

He may very well go down in history as not only being the first black president, but also one of the worst. That sort of breaks my heart.

Are You Kidding Me?

I could probably entitle all of my posts "Are You Kidding Me?" I feel like Seth Meyers on SNL, "SERIOUSLY? SERIOUSLY?!?"

I've been reading "The Revolution - A Manifesto" by Ron Paul and there are so many things that have become so clear to me. We have been lied to in the name of "safety." Our own safety (because we aren't smart enough to keep ourselves safe) and national safety. Our government has way more power than the founding fathers ever meant for them to have. And that power has gone to their heads.

I love this quote from the book (from the section discussing The Patriot Act and other similar acts):

Judge Andrew Napolitano recently asked, "Why should government agaents spy on us? They work for us. How about we spy on them?"

So great. Anyway, I don't have any specifics to shout about today, just wanted to vent some frusteration.