Wednesday, September 28, 2005

Libertarian Common Sense

I have been spending most of the morning reading some interesting articles written by Jacob Hornberger and some other authors researching a future article. It's been a while since I've fed that "libertarian" part of me.

For those interested?

http://www.fff.org/comment/com0509a.asp

http://www.fff.org/freedom/1096a.asp

One paragraph that Mr. Hornberger wrote that I found especially inspiring:

The twentieth century has been a century of darkness — a century of the socialistic welfare state . . . a century of war, both foreign and domestic . . . a century of political plunder and control . . . a century of poverty, misery, and despair. But when this century is relegated to the dustbin of history — where it belongs — the historians will undoubtedly record that there was one small beacon of light — a light of hope — a hope that shone through libertarians. They will undoubtedly record that it was the libertarians who led mankind through the darkness — out of the socialistic morass — off of the road to serfdom — and into one of history's most exciting revolutions — a libertarian revolution — a revolution that took mankind to the highest reaches of freedom in history!

6 comments:

Hooda Thunkit (Dave Zawodny) said...

There is a lot of truth in what Mr. Hornberger wrote.

Let's hope we have the good sense to continue evolving, lest we remain the pack of snarling dogs that we have become up to this point.

I'd prefer less heat and more light ;-)

Aaron said...

It is a strangely optimistic statement. I can't say I see much momentum in the libertarian movement. 'Movement' is becoming so cliche. Political movements these days are like trying to scoop sugar a fork. At first it looks like you might get a bunch, but it all falls away when actually try to do something with it. Isn't it funny when you find the 'cool punk' political crowd as the anarchists who mix with the socialists? What a dichotomy that is.

Well, back to something more positive. Lisa, who are your favorite Libertarian leaders or authors?

Unknown said...

Aaron, I'd have to say James Bovard, Milton Friedman, Jacob Hornsberger(recent addition), Ayn Rand (I liked Fountainhead better than Atlas Shrugged) and Robert Nozick.

I've also spent alot of time reading the early constitutions as well as the Federalist papers and other founding fathers writings.

George Washington is my favorite, he's written alot of very awesome speeches that seem to be forgotten in the rush to talk about Jefferson and Madison.

:-)

I found it to be very optimistic as well, which was like I said very inspiring. Hornsberger is of course alot more libertarian than I am, he'd probably state I'm still at the "fear" stage.

Unknown said...

Anarchy, State, and Utopia was the first book I read on Libertarianism decades ago. I actually read that before I read Fountainhead which was the second. Both of those are books I still recommend.

:-)

Aaron said...

I liked Atlas Shrugged better than the Fountainhead, but thats also the order in which I read them. Both had a profound impact on me. Thanks for the recommendations.

By the way, What is your take on David Shulz? I was floored with the campaign mailing I recieved from him; his resume and his plan to reduce waste in city government.

Unknown said...

Aaron, I'd vote for Dave, I've seen his plans as well and I think alot of them have real merit. He seems more of an independent to me than the traditional republican we have around here.

Maybe it was the order in which I read them too, my oldest daughter read Atlas Shrugged first and liked that one better than the Fountainhead.