“here’s no way to rule innocent men. The only power any government has is the power to crack down on criminals. Well, when there aren’t enough criminals, one makes them. One declares so many things to be a crime that it becomes impossible for men to live without breaking laws. Who wants a nation of law-abiding citizens? What’s there in that for anyone? But just pass the kind of laws that can neither be observed nor enforced nor objectively interpreted – and you create a nation of lawbreakers – and then you cash in on the guilt. Now that’s the system, . . . that’s the game, and once you understand it, you’ll be much easier to deal with.” - Floyd Ferris to Hank Reardon in Atlas Shrugged, by Ayn Rand
Yes. That quote is well known on Free Republic, and it’s true. If I was a government official who lacked morals and wanted to hold onto power, I could easily use our byzantine laws to find some way to persecute my political enemies. It’s almost impossible for someone, especially someone trying to move up politically, to avoid violating some sort of rule or regulation.
Again, I say that this is not what America was meant to be! I know we aren’t and weren’t a perfect nation, but the American ideals of liberty, small government, individual morality, and self reliance were worth working for. Too many people are eager to sacrifice real liberty (being a libertine is not free) for what? So we can become just another socialized Euro-state? What am I saying? We already ARE a socialized country operating off the hard work of previous generations.
Take a look at the geriatric Senate! I have nothing against old people. I’m not young myself, but c’mon. Tell me we can’t do better than the aristocratic dinosaurs we keep sending to D.C.!
You know what really, really saddens me? That no matter how much I and other FReepers try to educate ourselves and others, the vast majority of Americans are still on cruise control. Our handful of votes for liberty are drowned out by people who either buy the Democrat shuck and jive about some “War on Women” or rampant racism, or people who just don’t care enough to learn about the person they’re endorsing with their votes. We virtually all complain about D.C. and its crappy leaders, but WE KEEP ELECTING THEM!