if he wanted to secure the borders, he would be interested in a new 9/11 investigation. if everyone exposed who really is responsible for the melting of 1,400 cars in Manhattan (kinda far from the twin towers) is not a few guys in caves, the real terrorists in the middle east would not care about hurting the average American. if we left the middle east all together, they have so much to do, they might forget all about us. 9/11 was an inside job. average people did not do this.
"Limited government" tends to be a code-word for fewer limits on industrial pollution and personal gluttony. Same old story since Reagan kick-started that ideology in a big way.
@Antithropocentric So then the reverse must be true, that "Big Government" ensures limitations on industrial pollution and over-consumption, correct? How is that working out for you? Governments are the largest polluters in the world. They tend mostly to regulate those industries that compete with the corporations that fund their political campaigns, thereby ensuring monopolies. "Limited Government" may be an oxymoron, but that's no excuse to support the status quo.
I advocate beating the government into submission. You see, the government is a man with all sorts of badges of authority. We, the people, hold all the badges. Over the years the government has come to us, grabbing 1 badge here, two badges there, and saying " i need these to keep you safe". So if WE THE PEOPLE just stand up, punch big government in the face, and rip off all these badges, the government will be reduced to the size he once was-a cowering midget with little to no power.
This video is bullshit. For one, human nature is at its core, evil. SO if we destroy our current form of government, we will have nothing more than a land much like the one Mad Max lived in. You know, where road warriors and human locusts preyed upon farmers and survivalists? And then these communities would then band together in a common defence, and form an ordered higherarchy, much like the military or common gang. So government, in its basic form, is part of human nature. Even the tribe.
As a Catholic, let me just say that I object to Stefan's obsessive fetish of church bashing. Every time I catch a video of this guy, he sneaks in some anti-Christian remark somewhere. I found it very offensive to show a picture of Catholic altar boys as he says, "it (the state) relies on the control and abuse of children...[picture]...the parallels are obvious and endless."
That is nothing but pure bigotry. Why the hell is anti-Catholic, anti-Christian bigotry presented in a libertarian vid?
@MillionthUsername I understand where you are coming from. It is not my intention with this or any of our videos to criticize Chistianity. Nevertheless, some agents of institutional religion do parallel the state by abusing children. Christ said, "as you have done unto the least of these, my brethren, you have also done unto me" & "It would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck and he were cast into the sea than that he should cause one of these little ones to sin." See?
@repfreedomforce Stefan mocks Christians and disparages Christianity all the time. It's the reason I avoid him.
The Church does not "RELY ON the control and abuse of children." That is a smear. The implication from the quote and the picture is that the Church abuses children as a matter of course. Like I said, pure bigotry.
Bigots typically assign guilt for the crimes of individuals to some group they belong to. This is something the state does to its enemies (those evil terrorist muslims).
@MillionthUsername Not bigotry but calling a spade a spade!!!! The Catholic church has been in bed with all sorts of tyrants (Hitler, Musso, Franco, Videla, and Pinochet as a minuscule sample of 20th C dictators, that was when they were not in power themselves (since Constantine until the Renaisance). Religions and the Catholic mainly, are not a source of freedom, being libertarian is being against the con of those people. Have you read Romans 13? please do!!!
@lapiz1969 No, not calling a spade a spade, but BIGOTRY. He lies, saying the Church, "relies on the control and abuse of children." That is patently false. It is a bigoted, prejudiced, ignorant thing to say.
I am a Catholic. My friends are Catholic. My family is Catholic. The best people I know are Catholic. None of those people are "in bed with all sorts of tyrants." You are falling into the trap of condemning the innocent for the crimes of the guilty. That is morally wrong.
@MillionthUsername Paul Marcinkus, Torquemada, Lawrence Murphy, Pinochet, Lugo, Ernesto Cardenal, John Wayne Gacy, and Marcial Maciel are/were catholics and their crimes are a billion times bigger than your good deeds or your friends combined. Religions are mind controllers; otherwise the scam would not work. Were those dictators in bed with the church? Am I lying? How many of the names above you know? Being able to critize oneself is very hard, I understand ur view, as Ex Catholic by the way.
@lapiz1969 You are the one whose mind is controlled. You want to slander me and other innocent people by forming the association in people's minds of us with mass murderers, tyrants, inquisitors, child abusers.
Bigotry warps the mind. You use a guilt-by-association tactic to impute the crimes of the guilty to the innocent simply because they share a moniker: Catholic, Protestant, black, Jew, Muslim, Arab.
In the warped mind, the group takes on the character of any evil individual member.
@MillionthUsername Controled by who? So, did you knew those names? why are you Catholic anyway? were you persuaded into it by valid reasons or you were just born in it? What is the evidence that Catholics have any reason to be such? Look, I went to a Jesuit HS and College, when you doubt, when you ask questions the response is: faith requires NO reason, just pray for "understanding", god works in misterious ways, etc. if that fails, you get offered a ticket to hell. Pure manipulation on my view.
@lapiz1969 If you think that I have anything to do the crimes of the people you listed because I am Catholic, then you are strongly influenced by prejudice.
I am a Catholic because God touched me and revealed Himself to me in the Catholic Church, and then I also studied theology. No one manipulated or forced me. Just because people are "born in it" doesn't mean anything. People evidence what they are by how they live and how treat others, not by a label.
@MillionthUsername Again, who is controlling me? Of course you have nothing to do with those crimes but because you are "good", that does not erase the crimes of the institution, that does not condene how dirty and corrupt it is, right? God touched you? ok, well, from my perspective you are one delutional puppy. To be honest, I have discussed with dogmatic individuals before, we speak different languages and we will never find common group. In any case, good luck.
@MillionthUsername well, I am sorry. But you insulted me first by stating without any evidence that I am "being controlled". Of course that does not condone my position. cheers.
@lapiz1969 You say that you and religious people speak different languages, and yet you keep babbling? While I'm not sure what Millionth was getting at by saying that someone is controlling you, I'd venture to guess that you're own presuppositions, probably influenced by a narrow set of life experience is shaping your opinions and thus government your actions. A good cure for this would be reading books not written by Dawkins and Hitchens to get a fresher perspective.
@hellsunicorn He said to me: "Religions are mind controllers." I replied that he was "controlled" by prejudice/bigotry trying to link me to Torquemada and Pinochet. I was just turning his charge back on him.
Regarding Stef, the whole point of teaching people libertarianism is so that we can all live together in peace. There is nothing to gain by alienating Christians and attacking "religion." It has nothing to do with our struggle against the state. The Church is part of civil society.
@MillionthUsername For guys like Stefan, teaching libertarianism is done, in part, by alienating everybody who doesn't think exactly the way he and a narrow group of other secular thinkers approach things. It's extremely off putting, and I've considered dropping my subscription to him, though he hasn't pushed it quite that far yet.
@hellsunicorn And you needed a month to think about an answer? Why are you not answering whos is controling me? or the rest of questions. anyways. Which books? how about the bible? after 13 years, from kindergarten to bachillerato, I probably read it all, still have my school bible, now with annotations, had religion classes, seminars, etc. You can say whatever you want, one thing is for sure, I have studied the bible for many years, there is nothing godly from my perspective. Thats it for me.
@lapiz1969 Never spoke to or seen any of your posts before yesterday dude. And I wasn't talking about merely studying the bible, because I'm sure Hitchens and Dawkins have studied it as well and they are gloriously ignorant when trying to explain what it is saying. I was thinking more along the lines of doctrinal works by scholars, but your lack of interest would probably persist so why bother.
P.S. - In matters of the truth, perspective counts for absolutely nothing.
@hellsunicorn My mistake. I thought you were the previous xtian, I get it now, its a new one. Well, instead of insulting just list the books you recommend. I doubt I will ever read them, no time to confirm something I already have. I have departed from religions or gods for good. I respect your choice of believing in your own version of a sky daddy, but if u lack evidence, don´t waste my time. I recommend a book by a theologian named LLogari Pujol, in Spanish, but I doubt you speak it. Cheers
@lapiz1969 I'm not insulting, I'm stating the obvious, you have no interest in this subject (as you have admitted) and yet you can't seem to shut up about it (otherwise you wouldn't have bothered with Millionthusername). Given your professed lack of interest, recommended books would be a waste, so I'll just suggest a little less hypocrisy on your part and we'll call it a day.
P.S. - The irony of me being the insulting one and you objectifying me with terms like "it" and "xtian" is amusing.
@hellsunicorn And the word babbling is not an insult? I take it as such, so don´t pretend to be on high moral ground. Yes, I am not going to be convinced by the "evidence" you claim to know from those scholars, info has been reviewed and discarded, you are not presenting anything NEW. Not hypocrisy, instead of you writting so much, I wish you would have limited by sending the list, the drama is overdoing it. Xtian an insult? LOL check xtian early graffitti compare to papal seal, I use 4 short
@hellsunicorn I love discussing about religion, I admit it. I have an interest in what u consider a “religious scholar” I Have read WL Craig, DSouza, and Mcdowel; terrible arguments, 0 evidence, just speculation, demagogic rhetoric, & plain nonsense. So I want to know the titles and understand your standards. You think that by reading “scholars” I would be able to understand the bible. If the bible is the perfect word of god why men would be better suited to explain me how factual the book is?
@lapiz1969: The Spanish Inquisition lasted 350 years. Realistic estimates credit it with 3,000 - 4,000 deaths. A terrible thing, no doubt, but it hardly compares to the French Reign of terror, the logical extreme conclusion of French Enlightenment atheism and "rationality." The Reign of Terror, in the name of reason against religion, in just eleven months, from September 1793 to July 1794, killed between 20,000 and 40,000. Ranting on and on AGAINST religion is the new religion.
@espada9 U R right, I love ranting against religion, understand, today I would not get killed, before, I would follow the same faith as Giordano Bruno. vatican has not made those documents available, where do you get the numbers? Why are you not counting the inquisition as a whole? How many Jews were killed by xtians? how about the native americans, you counting those? How about the Catars? have you heard about the 30 year war? U accept god fucked up by killing "witches"? I ran out of space.
@lapiz1969 How many hearts did the Aztecs cut out before Cortes ended their reign of terror? How many Jews collaborated with the Roman Empire to murder Christians between 60 A.D. and 300 A.D.? How many human sacrifices has witches carried out in history before being suppressed?
Atheism doesn't make you smarter, nor does it make your genitals bigger, so try to be a little more objective yourself before admonishing another person's apparent lack of objectivity.
@MillionthUsername Well, Stef has said numerous times that his fight isn't just against the state; it's against irrationality in all its forms. Clearly he considers religion to be in that category, so it's not surprising to see some spillover.
If you disagree with his take on religion, though, instead of just piling on adjectives like "obsessive," "fetish," "offensive," etc., why not call into his Sunday show (or pop over to the FDR boards) and explain why he's incorrect?
@cjrsoccer1 If he wishes to attack Christianity and alienate Christians, that's his prerogative. He can consider me irrational while I consider him irrational. I was just responding to what he specifically said here and what I have observed previously from him. I'm offended by it, plus I think it's pointless and counterproductive to his stated goals.
I have posted a few times to his videos regarding the issue. I'm sure he's aware of what he's doing.
@MillionthUsername Sure, I understand. I actually agree with Stef on religion, but still wish he would cut out some of the spillover just for the sake of his message as it pertains to the state. My little bro is in seminary; hard to link him to Stef vids when you never know when he's gonna take a shot at religion!
@MillionthUsername As for the "being offended" part; I was just making sure you knew Stef has a "taking all comers" type policy for anyone who disagrees with him. I suppose that's out of place though since you were more just expressing your displeasure, as opposed to making an argument as to why he's wrong (which I guess would require far more than 500 characters anyway!)
@MillionthUsername This is the 21st century...let's get over it, the christian religion is corrupt and filled with idiotic ideologies. This said, the bible and many beliefs attached to it are still very much valid. I think it's fair to say Stefan attacks the religion...not the philosophies of society.
@MillionthUsername So religion doesn't deserve criticism? Never-mind, I'm not interested in hearing your willful ignorance, wishful thinking, persecution delusions or platitudes. Catholicism is rife with corruption, depravity and irresponsibility as usual the flock just points to a scapegoat or cries instead getting your house in order.
@LictorCrotch Religion deserves criticism when there is actually a valid analogy and it's on topic. Stefan just babbles about religion at random and sounds like a snarky little 12 year old boy. Every priest in the Roman Catholic Church should be imprisoned and maybe even executed for the perverted crap they've done, along with any other pedophile, but it has little if anything to do with modern government coercion.
@mattyelle1 The philosophies of society (depending on which one) can claim a greater mass of crimes than any established religion in history. The amount of carnage that Nietzsche and Marx (through Mao, Stalin and company) reaped upon Europe in the 20th century dwarfs every bloody crusade the papacy ever presided over, and even outdoes all the heads that the Ottomans lopped off in the name of Islam.
@MillionthUsername Unfortunately there seems to be a strong element of Anti-Theist types who can't shut up for one minute about religion when on any other subject in the libertarian movement. Frankly I've banned about 6 libertarians that I agree with on 95% of the issues primarily because I got tired of listening to them whine about this stuff.
P.S. - Stefan is pompous, but he's often right on things, so I tolerate his pig-headed analogies to the church and tyranny and watch him regularly.
Religion is mental disease and can only truly be understood in that context. You parents bullies and abused you into believing in an Jewish zombie sky ghost. I recommend that you seek professional psychiatric help to work through your abuse rather then you inflicting it on your children.
@MillionthUsername I personally find Leo Tolstoy's "Christian Anarchism" as highly relevant to your discussion, and a nice synthesis between the Stefan's "good stuff" about the non-aggression principle, and a genuine Christian faith, not an institutionalized religious structure. By the way, the book I'm referring too is called "The Kingdom of God is Within You".
As an EXcatholic, let me just say that i object to your obsessive fetish of church supporting. Catholicism has lied to me telling me that good people can still go to hell(and please dont bring up purgatory because thats a load of BS), telling me that CHILDREN are accused of sin even though they're just fucking kids, Keeping me in constant fear of swearing or eating meat on wednesday, made my grandma believe that every single bad thing in her life is because of some devil-
@ProDCloud I'm very sorry that you've had difficulties in your life and that you have never known God's love in a personal way. Jesus came to save us, not to condemn us. Many people struggle with scrupulosity. It's a kind of spiritual perfectionism. But that is a psychological/spiritual issue, not a theological one. God does not want you to live in fear. What He wants is to do is change your heart from the inside. He gives you a new life and the power to change. That is what we mean by grace.
-and not being how life is, coercing me to go to first communion classes when i could have been watching digimon on saturdays, memorizing the stupid "our father" and other sayings, GOING TO CHURCH FOR 10 YEARS EVERY SUNDAY DOING NOTHING, tolerating an abusive (not physically) dean administrator just because he went to the same church as me, causing my grandma to cry because shes to indoctrinated to understand just because i dont believe in god that theres something wrong-
-with me. Catholicism and Christianity have NOTHING to do with the libertarian movement even less the anti state one. Governments derive from religion so its only natural to be in the same opposition as well.
@ProDCloud There are many Christian libertarians. Jesus preached the Golden Rule as a universal ethic to follow in society. And the state derives from man's desire to rule over others. This is present whether there is religion or not. It's just a fact.
A bigot is a person obstinately or intolerantly devoted to his or her own opinions and prejudices,
Let's see if I've got this right. A person hanging on to their opinions, despite lack of evidence, opinions so ridiculous they defy explanation, is calling Stefan a bigot.
@jeffiek "A person hanging on to their opinions, despite lack of evidence, opinions so ridiculous they defy explanation, is calling Stefan a bigot."
Ad hominem. What does that even mean? I explained what I was commenting on.
"Pot, meet kettle"
That is absolutely ridiculous. I do not make videos where I bash atheists. I do not work atheist-bashing into my comments about libertarianism. I don't display unflattering pictures of them. I don't employ collectivist demonizing tactics.
Liberty may require limited government and individual responsibility, but Mr. Ryan and the GOP keep leaving one very important thing out of this equation: JUSTICE.
WHY has Wall Street gotten away with its financial crimes?
Paul Ryan, watching him speak gives me an extreme urge to smash something. I don't even understand how this guy got elected he practically emanates narcissism. His smugness is painfully obvious. He is the real life version of Clint Webb watch?v=zQ5cGYBV2TQ. Just more proof most people vote for the guy with right letter beside their name.
Very nicely done! I've been aligned with anarchist thinking for a few years now and it's very difficult for me to empathize with the statist mind set, but it's essential that we do. I think that you've compiled very effective images and clips to convey a very important message. Awesome!
I mean, don't get me wrong, I understand everything that everyone on here is saying. I've probably been through these same thought processes while most on here were having their little butts wiped. But, with that said, you sound like a bunch of cackling little hens. All the talk and inaction really annoys me. Either come to grips with the society you live in in reality and change IT (what it presently is, not what it "could me man") or STFU about it. It's that simple.
Hey, I've got an idea for all of you that are just sitting around thinking about stuff and junk man. Instead of just thinking and not doing, why don't you grow some cajones and get into action. You know, there is plenty of cheap land out west where you can go off the grid and then you don't have to worry about "the state". Nobody will bother you and you can live in your little Utopian dream world. Then we could also see how it works out for you.
Good video. I know it might be a quibble, but I wish Stef would consistently refrain from calling the goons "the state". Towards the end of the vid you have a clip of him saying "those who call their selves the state", but at the beginning he uses "the state" in the vernacular.
Proselytisation efforts will never succeed until the spook of the state is exorcized. Stef gave a lecture on language which I think is very important. The status quo must be presented as an aberration, not the norm ;)
"Minarchy is the fairy-tale utopian position, voluntarism is the only philosophy that is both logically and morally consistent."
Wow, its like so deep maaaaaan.
Bunch of retards, the whole lot of you. Change the world to your little daily ism fetish and get back to me. Mark my words and remember them well, though. One day, you're going to be looking back at how utterly stupid and futile your little daydreams were. Too bad you won't be able to get your time and energy back.
Don't be discouraged by the idiotic and condescending comments, repfreedom force. You guys are doing great work. "Limited government" is really just an argument for "limited theft". Once you grant an organization the power to steal, they aren't going to stay limited.
Minarchy is the fairy-tale utopian position, voluntarism is the only philosophy that is both logically and morally consistent.
every time I watch Paul Ryan, he reminds me of a parent or caregiver who adopts a patronizingly doe-eyed, sympathetic expression when explaining something difficult or upsetting to a child or a developmentally impaired adult. It's very off-putting.
What are you 18? I would love for my motorcycle to run off of rainbows and moonbeams, but guess what cupcake, it ain't happening. I just get disgusted with all the generalized "solutions" out there. Lets see some hard facts and details. Stop living in your make-believe dreamland. The FACT is, we will always have State control in the world. It's the way we've evolved. Even without the State, you still will have fear and control (Nature).
You know what I see? I see a lot of jawing off about government this and government that. The Statists are taking over, the government is controlling everything blah blah blah. Evil empire taking over the world, bankers running the nations.....
No SHIT! Ya think so? So, I got one question for all you bitching and whining and moaning on here and everywhere else for that matter. WTF are YOU gonna do about it. Shit or get off the pot! I'm tired of hearing you intellectual wannabes that "get it".
@jel32407 Self education and living the non-aggression principle, exemplifying personal responsibility, mutual respect, and reason for our children and loved ones seems to be the best thing we can be doing right now. As Stefan says, it will be difficult, consistent personal work that creates the conditions for a stateless society to emerge, and it is multi-generational work. Also, it should be fun. We don't need another violent revolution, but rather a revolution of consciousness.
You know what I see? I see a lot of jawing off about government this and government that. The Statists are taking over, the government is controlling everything blah blah blah. Evil empire taking over the world, bankers running the nations.....
No SHIT! Ya think so? So, I got one question for all you bitching and whining and moaning on here and everywhere else for that matter. WTF are YOU gonna do about it. Shit or get off the pot! I'm tired of hearing you intellectual wannabes that "get it".
@AndroidPolitician I'm working on a video about voluntarism / Anarachy (this was a foretaste :) If you have any N. Chomshy clips in mind, please send them to me in a private message. I will gladly review anything you send.
@DecassyJake I know! This guys seems like an automaton, a well honed actor playing the role of a conservative on TV. The whole event last night seemed like a staged, non-event. A propaganda piece at best, with the full support of the so-called free press.
@DecassyJake Indeed. I really felt like I was in an Orwellian nightmare while I watched that guy. He would probably have the same facial expression while torturing you.
So, I could have a pretty decent debate about this but let me ask. Do we want to move in the right direction of smaller constitutionally limited government? Or do we want to just launch into anarchy because we are so mad at the mess we have?
Now I'll be honest. I am split on this. My perfectly sane and rational side lets move in the right direction. My seriously pissed off side at this despicable & horrible government wants to see it burnt down.
@kmg501 Great comment! There is a mental exorcise proposed by Murray Rothbard, if I remember correctly, to discover how great one's attachment is to the state. If you had a button in front of you right now, and the result of pressing the button were instantaneous end of state power, would you press it?
How is a pro-state philosophy, no matter how scaled down it might be, truly "rational". The founders were all aware of the slippery slope of the state. Their checks and balances have failed.
@kmg501 You don't have to just plunge into anarchy. Government just needs to release it's monopolies. let competing agencies compete for service. Don't think agency A is doing a good job, than ditch them and go with agency B.
You don't have to systematically rob every one to build a road or a school. If there is a demand than some businessman will see an opportunity to provide a service
@fourdoorchevelle "Government" as an administrative agency is not a problem. It's government's monopoly on violence to force its way and lord over people that's the problem... then again, that is what governments seem to always do. If government agencies were voluntary, and had no unusual power, if it had to rely on creating social value in a free-market for it's income, and volunteers to operate then it could do some good. But that's NOT what people mean by "limited-government".
@kmg501 If you want a smaller constitutionally limited government, you'll get there faster by dismantling what exists now, and building something new from scratch, than by trying to reform what's there now.
@kmg501 I'm feeling like it's too early for a collapse into free-market Anarchy because I don't think it stay that way for long. People will start doing the election thing and start building another State as soon as it's possible - still thinking it's the only way there is to structure a "civilized" society. We need more time to edumucate the sheople on REAL economics and the philosophy of TRUE freedom.
Anyway, here is my follow comment. Sorry I am not addressing replies to me directly, I think this may be easier for now. I will be the first to admit that I am seething mad. As a 48 year man I never thought I would come to the point in my life where I so despise my own government and I do mean despise. I hate this government as much as if I were a young 20 something idealist. The problem however is that we have elderly parents & young children who are very vulnerable.
As much as I would love to see this despicable and out of control govt burnt down over night to just get it over and done quickly as possible to begin rebuilding as fast as possible, I know that is a very dangerous short cut for a lot of reasons. I don't know how much pain the American people will take but I do know that collapse would get a lot of people hurt and killed. I also know that more govt solutions are no solution at all.
@kmg501 The problems created by statism will not be solved with more statism. If the government collapsed, would you still go to your job? I would. Would you continue to do business with local shops? Would you still go to movies and socialize with friends? Of course. Much of your daily life is already Anarchic. All voluntary human action can be considered Anarchy. What would change is an end to wars, perpetual debt, nationalism, corporate monopolies enforced through police power and taxation.
@kmg501 There would be a lot of rethinking on how we relate voluntarily to one another without big brother involved in every financial transaction. There would be multiple, localized, competing and alternative currencies. People will need to relate to their fellow human being with mutual respect. Violence and social unrest would be localized rather than mass destruction by the state. A free and open internet will be a major part of how we structure communities and communicate. We can do this!
Trust me when I say I understand that the highest human achievement would be for us to be able to live in peace & mutual cooperation without government. Unfortunately that is but just a dream. Perhaps at some point in human history it will happen but AFAIK it has not ever happened in human history. I very much want the original intent of our design restored which Lincoln ripped away from us. A nation comprised of sovereign states is about the best we are going to get I think.
"We need universal but limited robbery so that we can protect ourselves from a tiny minority of people who may rob us."
furyofbongos 2 weeks ago
@furyofbongos I like the way that is worded. Are you quoting someone?
repfreedomforce 2 weeks ago
@repfreedomforce - my words, thanks! I will credit Larken Rose, however, with being an influence, especially this vid of his: /watch?v=ngpsJKQR_ZE
furyofbongos 2 weeks ago
if he wanted to secure the borders, he would be interested in a new 9/11 investigation. if everyone exposed who really is responsible for the melting of 1,400 cars in Manhattan (kinda far from the twin towers) is not a few guys in caves, the real terrorists in the middle east would not care about hurting the average American. if we left the middle east all together, they have so much to do, they might forget all about us. 9/11 was an inside job. average people did not do this.
netgrab 2 months ago
Yay! Go Stefan!
magentawave 2 months ago
"Limited government" tends to be a code-word for fewer limits on industrial pollution and personal gluttony. Same old story since Reagan kick-started that ideology in a big way.
Antithropocentric 3 months ago
@Antithropocentric - Wrong. Despite his Libertarian rhetoric, Ronald Reagan was a big government neocon.
magentawave 2 months ago
@Antithropocentric So then the reverse must be true, that "Big Government" ensures limitations on industrial pollution and over-consumption, correct? How is that working out for you? Governments are the largest polluters in the world. They tend mostly to regulate those industries that compete with the corporations that fund their political campaigns, thereby ensuring monopolies. "Limited Government" may be an oxymoron, but that's no excuse to support the status quo.
repfreedomforce 2 months ago
I advocate beating the government into submission. You see, the government is a man with all sorts of badges of authority. We, the people, hold all the badges. Over the years the government has come to us, grabbing 1 badge here, two badges there, and saying " i need these to keep you safe". So if WE THE PEOPLE just stand up, punch big government in the face, and rip off all these badges, the government will be reduced to the size he once was-a cowering midget with little to no power.
alielbaryeshua 7 months ago
This video is bullshit. For one, human nature is at its core, evil. SO if we destroy our current form of government, we will have nothing more than a land much like the one Mad Max lived in. You know, where road warriors and human locusts preyed upon farmers and survivalists? And then these communities would then band together in a common defence, and form an ordered higherarchy, much like the military or common gang. So government, in its basic form, is part of human nature. Even the tribe.
alielbaryeshua 7 months ago
What I don't get is how all these government workers say we need less government, but none of them are willing to step out of government. Hypocrites.
futbolfever90 10 months ago
As a Catholic, let me just say that I object to Stefan's obsessive fetish of church bashing. Every time I catch a video of this guy, he sneaks in some anti-Christian remark somewhere. I found it very offensive to show a picture of Catholic altar boys as he says, "it (the state) relies on the control and abuse of children...[picture]...the parallels are obvious and endless."
That is nothing but pure bigotry. Why the hell is anti-Catholic, anti-Christian bigotry presented in a libertarian vid?
MillionthUsername 1 year ago
@MillionthUsername I understand where you are coming from. It is not my intention with this or any of our videos to criticize Chistianity. Nevertheless, some agents of institutional religion do parallel the state by abusing children. Christ said, "as you have done unto the least of these, my brethren, you have also done unto me" & "It would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck and he were cast into the sea than that he should cause one of these little ones to sin." See?
repfreedomforce 1 year ago 4
@repfreedomforce Stefan mocks Christians and disparages Christianity all the time. It's the reason I avoid him.
The Church does not "RELY ON the control and abuse of children." That is a smear. The implication from the quote and the picture is that the Church abuses children as a matter of course. Like I said, pure bigotry.
Bigots typically assign guilt for the crimes of individuals to some group they belong to. This is something the state does to its enemies (those evil terrorist muslims).
MillionthUsername 1 year ago
@MillionthUsername So you're offended by pointing out the abuse, but not by the abuse itself? Typical apologist.
pretorious700 11 months ago
@pretorious700 No.
MillionthUsername 11 months ago
@MillionthUsername Not bigotry but calling a spade a spade!!!! The Catholic church has been in bed with all sorts of tyrants (Hitler, Musso, Franco, Videla, and Pinochet as a minuscule sample of 20th C dictators, that was when they were not in power themselves (since Constantine until the Renaisance). Religions and the Catholic mainly, are not a source of freedom, being libertarian is being against the con of those people. Have you read Romans 13? please do!!!
lapiz1969 11 months ago
@lapiz1969 No, not calling a spade a spade, but BIGOTRY. He lies, saying the Church, "relies on the control and abuse of children." That is patently false. It is a bigoted, prejudiced, ignorant thing to say.
I am a Catholic. My friends are Catholic. My family is Catholic. The best people I know are Catholic. None of those people are "in bed with all sorts of tyrants." You are falling into the trap of condemning the innocent for the crimes of the guilty. That is morally wrong.
MillionthUsername 11 months ago
@MillionthUsername Paul Marcinkus, Torquemada, Lawrence Murphy, Pinochet, Lugo, Ernesto Cardenal, John Wayne Gacy, and Marcial Maciel are/were catholics and their crimes are a billion times bigger than your good deeds or your friends combined. Religions are mind controllers; otherwise the scam would not work. Were those dictators in bed with the church? Am I lying? How many of the names above you know? Being able to critize oneself is very hard, I understand ur view, as Ex Catholic by the way.
lapiz1969 11 months ago
@lapiz1969 You are the one whose mind is controlled. You want to slander me and other innocent people by forming the association in people's minds of us with mass murderers, tyrants, inquisitors, child abusers.
Bigotry warps the mind. You use a guilt-by-association tactic to impute the crimes of the guilty to the innocent simply because they share a moniker: Catholic, Protestant, black, Jew, Muslim, Arab.
In the warped mind, the group takes on the character of any evil individual member.
MillionthUsername 11 months ago
@MillionthUsername Controled by who? So, did you knew those names? why are you Catholic anyway? were you persuaded into it by valid reasons or you were just born in it? What is the evidence that Catholics have any reason to be such? Look, I went to a Jesuit HS and College, when you doubt, when you ask questions the response is: faith requires NO reason, just pray for "understanding", god works in misterious ways, etc. if that fails, you get offered a ticket to hell. Pure manipulation on my view.
lapiz1969 11 months ago
@lapiz1969 If you think that I have anything to do the crimes of the people you listed because I am Catholic, then you are strongly influenced by prejudice.
I am a Catholic because God touched me and revealed Himself to me in the Catholic Church, and then I also studied theology. No one manipulated or forced me. Just because people are "born in it" doesn't mean anything. People evidence what they are by how they live and how treat others, not by a label.
MillionthUsername 11 months ago
@MillionthUsername Again, who is controlling me? Of course you have nothing to do with those crimes but because you are "good", that does not erase the crimes of the institution, that does not condene how dirty and corrupt it is, right? God touched you? ok, well, from my perspective you are one delutional puppy. To be honest, I have discussed with dogmatic individuals before, we speak different languages and we will never find common group. In any case, good luck.
lapiz1969 11 months ago
@lapiz1969 "God touched you? ok, well, from my perspective you are one delutional puppy"
You asked me why I was a Catholic. I answered you honestly. And you respond with mockery.
Shame on me for even bothering with you.
MillionthUsername 11 months ago
@MillionthUsername well, I am sorry. But you insulted me first by stating without any evidence that I am "being controlled". Of course that does not condone my position. cheers.
lapiz1969 11 months ago
@lapiz1969 You say that you and religious people speak different languages, and yet you keep babbling? While I'm not sure what Millionth was getting at by saying that someone is controlling you, I'd venture to guess that you're own presuppositions, probably influenced by a narrow set of life experience is shaping your opinions and thus government your actions. A good cure for this would be reading books not written by Dawkins and Hitchens to get a fresher perspective.
hellsunicorn 9 months ago
@hellsunicorn He said to me: "Religions are mind controllers." I replied that he was "controlled" by prejudice/bigotry trying to link me to Torquemada and Pinochet. I was just turning his charge back on him.
Regarding Stef, the whole point of teaching people libertarianism is so that we can all live together in peace. There is nothing to gain by alienating Christians and attacking "religion." It has nothing to do with our struggle against the state. The Church is part of civil society.
MillionthUsername 9 months ago
@MillionthUsername For guys like Stefan, teaching libertarianism is done, in part, by alienating everybody who doesn't think exactly the way he and a narrow group of other secular thinkers approach things. It's extremely off putting, and I've considered dropping my subscription to him, though he hasn't pushed it quite that far yet.
hellsunicorn 9 months ago
@hellsunicorn And you needed a month to think about an answer? Why are you not answering whos is controling me? or the rest of questions. anyways. Which books? how about the bible? after 13 years, from kindergarten to bachillerato, I probably read it all, still have my school bible, now with annotations, had religion classes, seminars, etc. You can say whatever you want, one thing is for sure, I have studied the bible for many years, there is nothing godly from my perspective. Thats it for me.
lapiz1969 9 months ago
@lapiz1969 Never spoke to or seen any of your posts before yesterday dude. And I wasn't talking about merely studying the bible, because I'm sure Hitchens and Dawkins have studied it as well and they are gloriously ignorant when trying to explain what it is saying. I was thinking more along the lines of doctrinal works by scholars, but your lack of interest would probably persist so why bother.
P.S. - In matters of the truth, perspective counts for absolutely nothing.
hellsunicorn 9 months ago
@hellsunicorn My mistake. I thought you were the previous xtian, I get it now, its a new one. Well, instead of insulting just list the books you recommend. I doubt I will ever read them, no time to confirm something I already have. I have departed from religions or gods for good. I respect your choice of believing in your own version of a sky daddy, but if u lack evidence, don´t waste my time. I recommend a book by a theologian named LLogari Pujol, in Spanish, but I doubt you speak it. Cheers
lapiz1969 9 months ago
@lapiz1969 I'm not insulting, I'm stating the obvious, you have no interest in this subject (as you have admitted) and yet you can't seem to shut up about it (otherwise you wouldn't have bothered with Millionthusername). Given your professed lack of interest, recommended books would be a waste, so I'll just suggest a little less hypocrisy on your part and we'll call it a day.
P.S. - The irony of me being the insulting one and you objectifying me with terms like "it" and "xtian" is amusing.
hellsunicorn 9 months ago
@hellsunicorn And the word babbling is not an insult? I take it as such, so don´t pretend to be on high moral ground. Yes, I am not going to be convinced by the "evidence" you claim to know from those scholars, info has been reviewed and discarded, you are not presenting anything NEW. Not hypocrisy, instead of you writting so much, I wish you would have limited by sending the list, the drama is overdoing it. Xtian an insult? LOL check xtian early graffitti compare to papal seal, I use 4 short
lapiz1969 9 months ago
@hellsunicorn I love discussing about religion, I admit it. I have an interest in what u consider a “religious scholar” I Have read WL Craig, DSouza, and Mcdowel; terrible arguments, 0 evidence, just speculation, demagogic rhetoric, & plain nonsense. So I want to know the titles and understand your standards. You think that by reading “scholars” I would be able to understand the bible. If the bible is the perfect word of god why men would be better suited to explain me how factual the book is?
lapiz1969 9 months ago
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lapiz1969 9 months ago
@lapiz1969: The Spanish Inquisition lasted 350 years. Realistic estimates credit it with 3,000 - 4,000 deaths. A terrible thing, no doubt, but it hardly compares to the French Reign of terror, the logical extreme conclusion of French Enlightenment atheism and "rationality." The Reign of Terror, in the name of reason against religion, in just eleven months, from September 1793 to July 1794, killed between 20,000 and 40,000. Ranting on and on AGAINST religion is the new religion.
espada9 11 months ago
@espada9 U R right, I love ranting against religion, understand, today I would not get killed, before, I would follow the same faith as Giordano Bruno. vatican has not made those documents available, where do you get the numbers? Why are you not counting the inquisition as a whole? How many Jews were killed by xtians? how about the native americans, you counting those? How about the Catars? have you heard about the 30 year war? U accept god fucked up by killing "witches"? I ran out of space.
lapiz1969 11 months ago
@lapiz1969 How many hearts did the Aztecs cut out before Cortes ended their reign of terror? How many Jews collaborated with the Roman Empire to murder Christians between 60 A.D. and 300 A.D.? How many human sacrifices has witches carried out in history before being suppressed?
Atheism doesn't make you smarter, nor does it make your genitals bigger, so try to be a little more objective yourself before admonishing another person's apparent lack of objectivity.
hellsunicorn 9 months ago
@MillionthUsername Well, Stef has said numerous times that his fight isn't just against the state; it's against irrationality in all its forms. Clearly he considers religion to be in that category, so it's not surprising to see some spillover.
If you disagree with his take on religion, though, instead of just piling on adjectives like "obsessive," "fetish," "offensive," etc., why not call into his Sunday show (or pop over to the FDR boards) and explain why he's incorrect?
cjrsoccer1 11 months ago
@cjrsoccer1 If he wishes to attack Christianity and alienate Christians, that's his prerogative. He can consider me irrational while I consider him irrational. I was just responding to what he specifically said here and what I have observed previously from him. I'm offended by it, plus I think it's pointless and counterproductive to his stated goals.
I have posted a few times to his videos regarding the issue. I'm sure he's aware of what he's doing.
MillionthUsername 11 months ago
@MillionthUsername Sure, I understand. I actually agree with Stef on religion, but still wish he would cut out some of the spillover just for the sake of his message as it pertains to the state. My little bro is in seminary; hard to link him to Stef vids when you never know when he's gonna take a shot at religion!
cjrsoccer1 11 months ago
@MillionthUsername As for the "being offended" part; I was just making sure you knew Stef has a "taking all comers" type policy for anyone who disagrees with him. I suppose that's out of place though since you were more just expressing your displeasure, as opposed to making an argument as to why he's wrong (which I guess would require far more than 500 characters anyway!)
cjrsoccer1 11 months ago
@MillionthUsername This is the 21st century...let's get over it, the christian religion is corrupt and filled with idiotic ideologies. This said, the bible and many beliefs attached to it are still very much valid. I think it's fair to say Stefan attacks the religion...not the philosophies of society.
mattyelle1 10 months ago
@mattyelle1 Not interested in hearing about your ignorance and bigotry.
MillionthUsername 10 months ago
@MillionthUsername So religion doesn't deserve criticism? Never-mind, I'm not interested in hearing your willful ignorance, wishful thinking, persecution delusions or platitudes. Catholicism is rife with corruption, depravity and irresponsibility as usual the flock just points to a scapegoat or cries instead getting your house in order.
LictorCrotch 9 months ago
@LictorCrotch Religion deserves criticism when there is actually a valid analogy and it's on topic. Stefan just babbles about religion at random and sounds like a snarky little 12 year old boy. Every priest in the Roman Catholic Church should be imprisoned and maybe even executed for the perverted crap they've done, along with any other pedophile, but it has little if anything to do with modern government coercion.
hellsunicorn 9 months ago
@mattyelle1 The philosophies of society (depending on which one) can claim a greater mass of crimes than any established religion in history. The amount of carnage that Nietzsche and Marx (through Mao, Stalin and company) reaped upon Europe in the 20th century dwarfs every bloody crusade the papacy ever presided over, and even outdoes all the heads that the Ottomans lopped off in the name of Islam.
hellsunicorn 9 months ago
@MillionthUsername Unfortunately there seems to be a strong element of Anti-Theist types who can't shut up for one minute about religion when on any other subject in the libertarian movement. Frankly I've banned about 6 libertarians that I agree with on 95% of the issues primarily because I got tired of listening to them whine about this stuff.
P.S. - Stefan is pompous, but he's often right on things, so I tolerate his pig-headed analogies to the church and tyranny and watch him regularly.
hellsunicorn 9 months ago
@MillionthUsername
Religion is mental disease and can only truly be understood in that context. You parents bullies and abused you into believing in an Jewish zombie sky ghost. I recommend that you seek professional psychiatric help to work through your abuse rather then you inflicting it on your children.
SuperMarcBot 9 months ago
@SuperMarcBot Din engelska suger, men tack för din hjälp. Jag kommer att checka in till sjukhuset direkt. :-/
MillionthUsername 9 months ago
@SuperMarcBot Are you a pretentious asshole by nature, or did you practice at it?
hellsunicorn 9 months ago
@MillionthUsername I personally find Leo Tolstoy's "Christian Anarchism" as highly relevant to your discussion, and a nice synthesis between the Stefan's "good stuff" about the non-aggression principle, and a genuine Christian faith, not an institutionalized religious structure. By the way, the book I'm referring too is called "The Kingdom of God is Within You".
repfreedomforce 9 months ago
@MillionthUsername
As an EXcatholic, let me just say that i object to your obsessive fetish of church supporting. Catholicism has lied to me telling me that good people can still go to hell(and please dont bring up purgatory because thats a load of BS), telling me that CHILDREN are accused of sin even though they're just fucking kids, Keeping me in constant fear of swearing or eating meat on wednesday, made my grandma believe that every single bad thing in her life is because of some devil-
ProDCloud 8 months ago
@ProDCloud I'm very sorry that you've had difficulties in your life and that you have never known God's love in a personal way. Jesus came to save us, not to condemn us. Many people struggle with scrupulosity. It's a kind of spiritual perfectionism. But that is a psychological/spiritual issue, not a theological one. God does not want you to live in fear. What He wants is to do is change your heart from the inside. He gives you a new life and the power to change. That is what we mean by grace.
MillionthUsername 8 months ago
@MillionthUsername
-and not being how life is, coercing me to go to first communion classes when i could have been watching digimon on saturdays, memorizing the stupid "our father" and other sayings, GOING TO CHURCH FOR 10 YEARS EVERY SUNDAY DOING NOTHING, tolerating an abusive (not physically) dean administrator just because he went to the same church as me, causing my grandma to cry because shes to indoctrinated to understand just because i dont believe in god that theres something wrong-
ProDCloud 8 months ago
@MillionthUsername
-with me. Catholicism and Christianity have NOTHING to do with the libertarian movement even less the anti state one. Governments derive from religion so its only natural to be in the same opposition as well.
ProDCloud 8 months ago
@ProDCloud There are many Christian libertarians. Jesus preached the Golden Rule as a universal ethic to follow in society. And the state derives from man's desire to rule over others. This is present whether there is religion or not. It's just a fact.
MillionthUsername 8 months ago
@MillionthUsername
The problem is that the golden rule is not universal...
ProDCloud 8 months ago
@MillionthUsername Hmmm.....
wikipedia. org/wiki/Bigotry
A bigot is a person obstinately or intolerantly devoted to his or her own opinions and prejudices,
Let's see if I've got this right. A person hanging on to their opinions, despite lack of evidence, opinions so ridiculous they defy explanation, is calling Stefan a bigot.
Pot, meet kettle.
jeffiek 3 weeks ago
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@jeffiek "A person hanging on to their opinions, despite lack of evidence, opinions so ridiculous they defy explanation, is calling Stefan a bigot."
Ad hominem. What does that even mean? I explained what I was commenting on.
"Pot, meet kettle"
That is absolutely ridiculous. I do not make videos where I bash atheists. I do not work atheist-bashing into my comments about libertarianism. I don't display unflattering pictures of them. I don't employ collectivist demonizing tactics.
MillionthUsername 3 weeks ago
Could his eyes get any bigger , blue and wetter ?
koneye 1 year ago
Liberty may require limited government and individual responsibility, but Mr. Ryan and the GOP keep leaving one very important thing out of this equation: JUSTICE.
WHY has Wall Street gotten away with its financial crimes?
Without justice, we can have no real liberty.
sbarr10 1 year ago
Paul Ryan, watching him speak gives me an extreme urge to smash something. I don't even understand how this guy got elected he practically emanates narcissism. His smugness is painfully obvious. He is the real life version of Clint Webb watch?v=zQ5cGYBV2TQ. Just more proof most people vote for the guy with right letter beside their name.
pandyne 1 year ago
Am I the only one who can hear the lack of sincerity in his voice?
Indigozek 1 year ago
Very nicely done! I've been aligned with anarchist thinking for a few years now and it's very difficult for me to empathize with the statist mind set, but it's essential that we do. I think that you've compiled very effective images and clips to convey a very important message. Awesome!
Freemarketeer81 1 year ago 3
@Freemarketeer81 Thank you so much my friend. Check out some of our other videos too.
repfreedomforce 1 year ago
I mean, don't get me wrong, I understand everything that everyone on here is saying. I've probably been through these same thought processes while most on here were having their little butts wiped. But, with that said, you sound like a bunch of cackling little hens. All the talk and inaction really annoys me. Either come to grips with the society you live in in reality and change IT (what it presently is, not what it "could me man") or STFU about it. It's that simple.
jel32407 1 year ago
Hey, I've got an idea for all of you that are just sitting around thinking about stuff and junk man. Instead of just thinking and not doing, why don't you grow some cajones and get into action. You know, there is plenty of cheap land out west where you can go off the grid and then you don't have to worry about "the state". Nobody will bother you and you can live in your little Utopian dream world. Then we could also see how it works out for you.
Good luck, and try not to starve out there.
jel32407 1 year ago
Good video. I know it might be a quibble, but I wish Stef would consistently refrain from calling the goons "the state". Towards the end of the vid you have a clip of him saying "those who call their selves the state", but at the beginning he uses "the state" in the vernacular.
Proselytisation efforts will never succeed until the spook of the state is exorcized. Stef gave a lecture on language which I think is very important. The status quo must be presented as an aberration, not the norm ;)
BenettFreeman 1 year ago
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ROFLMAO!
"Minarchy is the fairy-tale utopian position, voluntarism is the only philosophy that is both logically and morally consistent."
Wow, its like so deep maaaaaan.
Bunch of retards, the whole lot of you. Change the world to your little daily ism fetish and get back to me. Mark my words and remember them well, though. One day, you're going to be looking back at how utterly stupid and futile your little daydreams were. Too bad you won't be able to get your time and energy back.
jel32407 1 year ago
@jel32407
Nothing but insults. You're not worth my time.
KyleSkullz 1 year ago
Don't be discouraged by the idiotic and condescending comments, repfreedom force. You guys are doing great work. "Limited government" is really just an argument for "limited theft". Once you grant an organization the power to steal, they aren't going to stay limited.
Minarchy is the fairy-tale utopian position, voluntarism is the only philosophy that is both logically and morally consistent.
KyleSkullz 1 year ago
every time I watch Paul Ryan, he reminds me of a parent or caregiver who adopts a patronizingly doe-eyed, sympathetic expression when explaining something difficult or upsetting to a child or a developmentally impaired adult. It's very off-putting.
RationalDischarge 1 year ago 10
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@repfreedomforce
Riiiiiiiiiight.
Good luck with that.
What are you 18? I would love for my motorcycle to run off of rainbows and moonbeams, but guess what cupcake, it ain't happening. I just get disgusted with all the generalized "solutions" out there. Lets see some hard facts and details. Stop living in your make-believe dreamland. The FACT is, we will always have State control in the world. It's the way we've evolved. Even without the State, you still will have fear and control (Nature).
jel32407 1 year ago
Absolutely brilliant! What video did that footage from the mises institute come from? I'm referring to the last guy who talked in the vid.
StormCloudsGathering 1 year ago
@StormCloudsGathering The video is titled "Is Limited-Government an Oxymoron" featured by channel MisesMiedia.
repfreedomforce 1 year ago
GREAT, GREAT, GREAT JOB! This was the most fun that I've had in days. You are very talented.
tapary 1 year ago
This has been flagged as spam show
You know what I see? I see a lot of jawing off about government this and government that. The Statists are taking over, the government is controlling everything blah blah blah. Evil empire taking over the world, bankers running the nations.....
No SHIT! Ya think so? So, I got one question for all you bitching and whining and moaning on here and everywhere else for that matter. WTF are YOU gonna do about it. Shit or get off the pot! I'm tired of hearing you intellectual wannabes that "get it".
jel32407 1 year ago
@jel32407 Self education and living the non-aggression principle, exemplifying personal responsibility, mutual respect, and reason for our children and loved ones seems to be the best thing we can be doing right now. As Stefan says, it will be difficult, consistent personal work that creates the conditions for a stateless society to emerge, and it is multi-generational work. Also, it should be fun. We don't need another violent revolution, but rather a revolution of consciousness.
repfreedomforce 1 year ago
You know what I see? I see a lot of jawing off about government this and government that. The Statists are taking over, the government is controlling everything blah blah blah. Evil empire taking over the world, bankers running the nations.....
No SHIT! Ya think so? So, I got one question for all you bitching and whining and moaning on here and everywhere else for that matter. WTF are YOU gonna do about it. Shit or get off the pot! I'm tired of hearing you intellectual wannabes that "get it".
jel32407 1 year ago
Awesome video!!!
cherrieri 1 year ago
Great video...looks like Mr. Woods has been hanging around Ernie too much :)
RP4409 1 year ago
@RP4409 Dude! it's been a while. Hope all is well. I'll have to tell you my Arizona check-point story.
repfreedomforce 1 year ago
This needs more Noam Chomsky clips.
AndroidPolitician 1 year ago
@AndroidPolitician I'm working on a video about voluntarism / Anarachy (this was a foretaste :) If you have any N. Chomshy clips in mind, please send them to me in a private message. I will gladly review anything you send.
repfreedomforce 1 year ago
It's all over, we just don't realize it yet..
chriscr123 1 year ago
Great job.
ProDCloud 1 year ago
An animatronic Reagan gets reprogrammed...?
DecassyJake 1 year ago
@DecassyJake I know! This guys seems like an automaton, a well honed actor playing the role of a conservative on TV. The whole event last night seemed like a staged, non-event. A propaganda piece at best, with the full support of the so-called free press.
repfreedomforce 1 year ago
@DecassyJake Indeed. I really felt like I was in an Orwellian nightmare while I watched that guy. He would probably have the same facial expression while torturing you.
tapary 1 year ago
So, I could have a pretty decent debate about this but let me ask. Do we want to move in the right direction of smaller constitutionally limited government? Or do we want to just launch into anarchy because we are so mad at the mess we have?
Now I'll be honest. I am split on this. My perfectly sane and rational side lets move in the right direction. My seriously pissed off side at this despicable & horrible government wants to see it burnt down.
Be careful what you wish for...?
kmg501 1 year ago
@kmg501 Great comment! There is a mental exorcise proposed by Murray Rothbard, if I remember correctly, to discover how great one's attachment is to the state. If you had a button in front of you right now, and the result of pressing the button were instantaneous end of state power, would you press it?
How is a pro-state philosophy, no matter how scaled down it might be, truly "rational". The founders were all aware of the slippery slope of the state. Their checks and balances have failed.
repfreedomforce 1 year ago
@kmg501 You don't have to just plunge into anarchy. Government just needs to release it's monopolies. let competing agencies compete for service. Don't think agency A is doing a good job, than ditch them and go with agency B.
You don't have to systematically rob every one to build a road or a school. If there is a demand than some businessman will see an opportunity to provide a service
fourdoorchevelle 1 year ago 2
@fourdoorchevelle "Government" as an administrative agency is not a problem. It's government's monopoly on violence to force its way and lord over people that's the problem... then again, that is what governments seem to always do. If government agencies were voluntary, and had no unusual power, if it had to rely on creating social value in a free-market for it's income, and volunteers to operate then it could do some good. But that's NOT what people mean by "limited-government".
repfreedomforce 1 year ago
@kmg501 If you want a smaller constitutionally limited government, you'll get there faster by dismantling what exists now, and building something new from scratch, than by trying to reform what's there now.
rogerbr0wne 1 year ago
@kmg501 I'm feeling like it's too early for a collapse into free-market Anarchy because I don't think it stay that way for long. People will start doing the election thing and start building another State as soon as it's possible - still thinking it's the only way there is to structure a "civilized" society. We need more time to edumucate the sheople on REAL economics and the philosophy of TRUE freedom.
SynapticTransmission 1 year ago
@kmg501
Anyway, here is my follow comment. Sorry I am not addressing replies to me directly, I think this may be easier for now. I will be the first to admit that I am seething mad. As a 48 year man I never thought I would come to the point in my life where I so despise my own government and I do mean despise. I hate this government as much as if I were a young 20 something idealist. The problem however is that we have elderly parents & young children who are very vulnerable.
(cont)
kmg501 1 year ago
@kmg501 (continuing)
As much as I would love to see this despicable and out of control govt burnt down over night to just get it over and done quickly as possible to begin rebuilding as fast as possible, I know that is a very dangerous short cut for a lot of reasons. I don't know how much pain the American people will take but I do know that collapse would get a lot of people hurt and killed. I also know that more govt solutions are no solution at all.
At some point is nothing left to lose...
kmg501 1 year ago
@kmg501 The problems created by statism will not be solved with more statism. If the government collapsed, would you still go to your job? I would. Would you continue to do business with local shops? Would you still go to movies and socialize with friends? Of course. Much of your daily life is already Anarchic. All voluntary human action can be considered Anarchy. What would change is an end to wars, perpetual debt, nationalism, corporate monopolies enforced through police power and taxation.
repfreedomforce 1 year ago
@kmg501 There would be a lot of rethinking on how we relate voluntarily to one another without big brother involved in every financial transaction. There would be multiple, localized, competing and alternative currencies. People will need to relate to their fellow human being with mutual respect. Violence and social unrest would be localized rather than mass destruction by the state. A free and open internet will be a major part of how we structure communities and communicate. We can do this!
repfreedomforce 1 year ago
@repfreedomforce
Trust me when I say I understand that the highest human achievement would be for us to be able to live in peace & mutual cooperation without government. Unfortunately that is but just a dream. Perhaps at some point in human history it will happen but AFAIK it has not ever happened in human history. I very much want the original intent of our design restored which Lincoln ripped away from us. A nation comprised of sovereign states is about the best we are going to get I think.
kmg501 1 year ago
Nicely done!
dirtbagstatus 1 year ago 10