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Live And Let Live (John Stossel: A Libertarian Looks At Freedom On July 4th Alert)
Townhall.com ^ | 07/04/2007 | John Stossel

Posted on 07/03/2007 11:38:09 PM PDT by goldstategop

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John Stossel today presents a libertarian perspective on freedom. He notes government is about force. Too many people on both sides of the political spectrum want government to take care of their every need, even as they lose their freedom in the process. Today, people demand government impose their preferences on others. Whatever happened to "Don't tread on me?" Now there's a thought to hold in mind for this July 4th. Happy Independence Day, every one!

"Show me just what Mohammed brought that was new, and there you will find things only evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached." - Manuel II Palelologus

1 posted on 07/03/2007 11:38:13 PM PDT by goldstategop
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To: goldstategop
Michael Moore: Why do you see it as force?

This single sentence invalidates anything Moore has to say about anything. That he doesn't grasp that even in a constitutional republic, in which the people vote for their representatives, the only source of power the government has is the threat of FORCE, is so telling.

Don't pay your taxes, Mike, and then tell me you weren't dealing with a government that FORCES.

2 posted on 07/03/2007 11:42:04 PM PDT by Darkwolf377 (Bostonian, atheist, prolifer)
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To: goldstategop

John Stossel is a national treasure.

Socialists, that feminized fascist force, is overwhelming freedom.

Conservatives sometimes do not understand the consequences of blurring the lines between themselves and socialists on government as force.

We need to again be the party that lets you alone to live your life as you please.


3 posted on 07/03/2007 11:46:01 PM PDT by Stallone (THE FENCE - Build it, and they won't come)
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To: Darkwolf377
Conservatives know government is force and yet quite a few of them want to use it to boss around others. We have no right to complain when liberals use it do the same thing if we're not willing to give up on government as an instrumental of societal change. Then elections don't really matter much because the only difference is who yanks your chains around. Give the American people some credit last year for saying they thought the GOP became the Party Of Big Govermment. They were right.

"Show me just what Mohammed brought that was new, and there you will find things only evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached." - Manuel II Palelologus

4 posted on 07/03/2007 11:46:42 PM PDT by goldstategop (In Memory Of A Dearly Beloved Friend Who Lives In My Heart Forever)
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To: goldstategop
"Whatever happened to "Don't tread on me?" Now there's a thought to hold in mind for this July 4th. Happy Independence Day, every one!

And what happens when things, like -Islamist totalitarianism- rears it's ugly head and threatens your "live and let live" and "don't tread on me" paradise?

We are neither a Libertarian free for all, never were and never were meant to be, nor a socialist marxist police state.

We are a constitutional republic, and this constitution republic, a foundation of law, is what gives us the maximum amount of freedom possible.

5 posted on 07/03/2007 11:51:27 PM PDT by Nathan Zachary
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To: goldstategop

Ping for later read.


6 posted on 07/03/2007 11:55:00 PM PDT by ConservativeMind
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To: goldstategop
FORCE isn't the issue. Rightful self-defense is also force. The issue is wrongful force--which is force that violates the rights of others (as opposed to force that defends the rights of oneself or of others.)
7 posted on 07/03/2007 11:56:40 PM PDT by sourcery (Anthropogenic Global Warming: A convenient lie designed to establish socialism by fear and deception)
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To: goldstategop

I find a great deal to agree with in Stossel’s article. Libertarianism seems to be the political philosophy I agree with most these days, even as both the Left and the Right find reasons to use government to impose their wishes on the public.


8 posted on 07/03/2007 11:58:32 PM PDT by AnotherUnixGeek
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To: Nathan Zachary
And what happens when things, like -Islamist totalitarianism- rears it's ugly head and threatens your "live and let live" and "don't tread on me" paradise?

Then you would be well advised to use force to defend yourself. Force used in self defence against those trying to violate your rights is rightful, good and proper.

9 posted on 07/03/2007 11:59:56 PM PDT by sourcery (Anthropogenic Global Warming: A convenient lie designed to establish socialism by fear and deception)
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To: goldstategop
Give the American people some credit last year for saying they thought the GOP became the Party Of Big Govermment. They were right.

I don't believe that for a second. We'd LIKE it to mean that, but I see zero indication that Americans replaced the GOP because they perceived it had become a "big government," because they replaced it with a "bigger government" party.

The American people didn't say "We're sick of big government! Out with the GOP, in with the party of healthcare for all!" Where is the evidence of this "credit" due the American people? I WISH it were so.

10 posted on 07/04/2007 12:01:07 AM PDT by Darkwolf377 (Bostonian, atheist, prolifer)
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To: Darkwolf377

Voters replaced the GOP because Republicans always show them how the world is full of threats. Most people don’t want to hear it. They just want to get back to their barbeques and entertainment. The normal human reaction is to avoid problems instead of tackling them. And the Foley scandal didn’t help either.


11 posted on 07/04/2007 12:20:22 AM PDT by TheThinker
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To: TheThinker
Voters replaced the GOP because Republicans always show them how the world is full of threats. Most people don’t want to hear it. They just want to get back to their barbeques and entertainment. The normal human reaction is to avoid problems instead of tackling them. And the Foley scandal didn’t help either.

Your handle is the most accurate on FR.

12 posted on 07/04/2007 12:22:42 AM PDT by Darkwolf377 (Bostonian, atheist, prolifer)
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To: goldstategop
There is a clarity of thought that John Stossel possesses that is so refreshing. Government is power or force, ceded to politicians by the people. It the voluntary abdication of freedom for the public good and survival of the country.
13 posted on 07/04/2007 12:25:35 AM PDT by TheThinker
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To: goldstategop

What good insight. I can say I learned something beneficial today.


14 posted on 07/04/2007 12:26:30 AM PDT by taxesareforever (Never forget Matt Maupin)
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To: sourcery

IN principle, any force that can morally be exercised by an individual, such as force to protect life or property, can by asserted by a group or a society collectively.

Force that CANNOT be morally exercised by an individual, such as force used to commit theft, i.e. robbery, can never become moral just because it was accomplished collectively.

Forcibly extracting money from individuals is immoral and illegal when done for a purpose that lacks fundamental underlying moral force, whether carried out by indiviuals or gangs, no matter how large or well organized. But, in the hands of Socialists this particularly insidious form of robbery becomes a cause for self-congratulation. There is no self-satisfaction quite as repulsive as moral gloating bought with someone else’s money.

Yet, Democrats never see it this way. They have a moral blind spot that is quite malignant and very persistent.


15 posted on 07/04/2007 12:48:20 AM PDT by John Valentine
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To: John Valentine

Yes, I do not disagree with you. I also have read Bastiat’s “The Law.”


16 posted on 07/04/2007 1:52:16 AM PDT by sourcery (Anthropogenic Global Warming: A convenient lie designed to establish socialism by fear and deception)
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To: goldstategop
"If government would just back off, the private sector will provide many of the same services faster, better, and cheaper." There are plenty of examples that should astound the socialists, like better private water works, ambulance services, roads, even air-traffic control.

This is the reason, IMHO, that Liberal talk radio never gets off the ground. As long as the government subsidized NPR exists and the not-even-remotely-about-profit AirAmerica operates, Liberal talk radio will never have the opportunity to develop appealing and profitable programming.

The failure of Liberal talk radio is just another example of Liberal good intentions and government largesse supressing innovation and risk taking and preventing the very thing they mean to promote.

17 posted on 07/04/2007 2:08:12 AM PDT by gridlock (Quack ... (thump) Quack ... (thump) Quack ... (thump) Quack ... (thump)......)
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To: gridlock

John Stossel rocks!


18 posted on 07/04/2007 2:11:25 AM PDT by conservativefromGa
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To: sourcery

I hadn’t had that book in mind, but yes, it is particularly well reasoned and consistent in its uncompromising outlook. When you’re right you’re right.


19 posted on 07/04/2007 2:26:54 AM PDT by John Valentine
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To: goldstategop

John Stossel speaks the truth.

More governement means less liberty or more liberty means less government - hmmm, that sounds like Walter Williams’ recent book... another national treasure.


20 posted on 07/04/2007 3:08:02 AM PDT by cowtowney
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