Posted on 02/24/2012 3:42:51 PM PST by appeal2
Yaron Brook was with us again for another exploration into why the individual is supreme, and why we need thousands of people to constantly communicate the message that collectivism is always a path to authoritarianism and impoverishment. Ideas have the power to reshape generations. This is why the current debate of individual rights and the proper role of the state is essential to everyone's future.
Key to the debate is the understanding that the concept of the individual being free to pursue his own personal happiness and fulfillment will result in the economic elevation of the entire society. The elimination of the wasteful and parasitic activities of government could result in unimagined wealth for our country and the world. But, people are oblivious to the toll that the out of control government exacts upon us all...and until they understand, change will be extremely difficult.
Everyone should read Atlas Shrugged, or read it again if it’s been a while.
I try to re-read it on an annual basis. More and more true as time goes on.
Individualists, however, will never have much success in the long run trying to change the system itself.
I lived in Colorado at the time that it was being flooded by refugees from California. The great individualists were zoned out of existence. One-by-one their cities were captured by migrants, more individualistic than the folks they left behind, but more collectivist than the native Coloradans.
The natives didn't really even put up a fight. They were too busy living in their own little individual worlds worrying about their own individual little problems.
Some just went with the flow and made money as the economy expanded. Others hunkered down in their once isolated homes every day becoming more surrounded by larger and larger housing tracts with all sorts of covenants to follow.
Collectivists benefit from the collective. Collectivists outnumber the individualists and will always outvote them, outriot them, outlast them.
The only hope for individualists is to work within the system, or game it.
Of course there are those who claim to be individualists, and may even be so, but make that claim not because they expect it to lead anywhere, but just to make money off those who still believe that an individualistic society is possible.
If you are one of these, then good luck to you, but I ain't given you any of my money or blog hits.
“There’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. —”Atlas Shrugged,” by Ayn Rand
Know why Atlas Shrugged? Because neither he nor she or Libertarians EVER have the right answer. Just listen to Ron Paul.
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