[Col Sanders]

I don't really consider myself a libertarian or a Libertarian. However, I wrote on another thread something that also seems germane to this discussion.

George Washington asserted that people naturally migrate to either of two camps - Those who trust governement and those who do not. According to him, you could call them any names you pleased, but when you boiled it down to the root, that's what you had. This is where the "two party system" idea originated. The way he saw it, those were the only two political differences between people and that as long as you had those two parties at war with each other in congress, very little could be accomplished - Which was the idea.

Fast forward to today and we see that the Republicans and Democrats, while to quick to assert the contrary, all belong to the first party. They both believe that government is the answer, what they disagree on is the question, or questions as it were.

There's an awful lot of us out here who belong to the second party - the party of Washington who once said that government was not reason or eloquence, but force - We are those who believe that government is never the answer. It is merely a necessary evil to be boxed up tight - To paraphrase Jefferson: Governments exist to protect the rights of the individual - They have no other function.

It cannot continue in this manner forever.

Regards,

Col Sanders

[Coyoteman]

George Washington asserted that people naturally migrate to either of two camps - Those who trust governement and those who do not.

Pournelle has an interesting take on that question: http://www.baen.com/chapters/axes.htm. Its a long read, but worth it.

Rather than one axis, he uses two: "Attitude toward the State," and "Attitude toward planned social progress."

[donmeaker]

I figure that government may be the answer, but that should be rare, and practically the founders had it pretty close to right with the enumerated powers in the Constitution.

I would repeal the 16th amendment, myself, but would add put an amendment to put the commerce clause back to it pre FDR status.

I would further extend liberty by amendment to protect rights from infringement by US states. I believe this was an intent of the 14th amendment, but the SCOTUS interpreted that out fairly quickly.

[Swordfished]

Wow. Thanks for that, Col Sanders.

It cannot continue in this manner forever.

Especially when even most Republicans now advocating more government intrusion.