Personal Freedom and the American Government

Personal Freedom and Power 101:  Personal Power

 The distinctive principle of Western social philosophy is individualism.

It aims at the creation of a sphere in which the individual is free to think, to choose, and to act without being restrained by the interference of the social apparatus of coercion and oppression, the State. All the spiritual and material achievements of Western civilization were the result of the operation of this idea of liberty.

 -Ludwig von Mises

 

 The political elites are perplexed.  Why doesn’t the American public appreciate their leadership?  Why are Americans repugnant to enormous public debt, restrictive regulations, bailouts of Wall Street, union ownership of General Motors, cheating secure bond holders, earmarks, the mandates of ObamaCare, commandeering a sixth of the American economy, and an endless list of arrogant power plays?

Over the past two years, the public has awakened and become infuriated by the corrupt process involved with the passage of ObamaCare.  Businesses were threatened and bribed and the compliant players will become rich.  Additionally, politicians were bribed:  the Louisiana Purchase and the Cornhusker Kickback to name two of the enumerable unknown “deals.”

Previously, the public was incensed by the increase in public debt created by Bush and the Republicans.  Wrongfully and wastefully, DeLay and Hastert dispensed earmarks for political gain. 

Today, the public is infuriated with the coercion and oppression by government caused by Republicans and Democrats.  Hence, the independent voter and Tea Parties have spontaneously formed and expanded as a countervailing force. And, for the third election cycle the politicians in power have been punished.  

Insensitive to the public’s anger at the abuse of power, the President attempts to convince Americans that the political elites have only failed in preparing and persuading the people.

 Over the course of two years, we were so busy and so focused on getting a bunch of stuff done that we stopped paying attention to . . . persuading people and giving them confidence, and bringing them together, and setting a tone, and making an argument that people can understand.

 Similar is Nancy Pelosi’s spin to the Democratic Caucus as stated in Politico

“In addition, we must build the capacity for effectively communicating our message of job creation and opportunity for all, while supporting our signature achievements of health care, Wall Street reform, and Social Security and Medicare,” she wrote. “In the 2006 election…, we spoke with great clarity and unity — and we won. Now, we must further modernize not only that message but the way in which we communicate with constituents.”

 Oh Pelosi!  Social Security and Medicare are bankrupt.  The new programs will become gigantic debt burdens because of your political shenanigans that would put ordinary citizens in jail.  Worse, these debts must be paid by all Americans, even the unborn.

Alas, wielding the coercive power of government, Obama and Pelosi will continue to confiscate our money, and force mandates on all Americans. e.g., medical insurance must be purchased from a government selected entity. Arrogant and wrong, Obama and Pelosi claim that this coercion is good for the each American.  We just were not properly prepared and persuaded.

To the contrary, Americans know that the government is taking our money and spending on Pelosi’s achievements, which bought the politicians votes and power, but subsequently became bankrupt.  Alas, Americans know that governance in America is corrupt, which is harmful to them personally.

Americans also know that burdensome taxes rob them of the use and enjoyment of their money. Independents may not know of Ludwig von Mises or his theory on individualism:  a sphere in which the individual is free to think, to choose, and to act without being restrained by the interference of the social apparatus of coercion and oppression, the State.  However, they know government is messing with their personal freedom.  And contrary to Obama and Pelosi, they know government’s abuse of power is the problem.

America is exceptional.  Benefiting from Europe’s attempts at personal freedom, especially a thousand years of intellectual theory and political strife in England, America set a revolutionary course aimed at individualism.  Wrongly and regrettably, freedom in America has been unjust to races and women.  Yet, the evolving concept of personal freedom best thrives in America.  It is part of our heritage, our DNA, and the independent voter wants a small and restricted government which governs by the rule of law rather than the corruption and coercion of the rulers.

 Ludwig von Mises stated the benefits of individualism:  All the spiritual and material achievements of Western civilization were the result of the operation of this idea of liberty.

Gratefully, the historic pursuit for freedom is vigorous and energetic in America.