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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: 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: 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: 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: 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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To: goldstategop

bump for later


21 posted on 07/04/2007 3:42:24 AM PDT by joe fonebone (Nothin' from Nothin' leaves Nothin')
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To: goldstategop
Perhaps a Hillary administration will require all female babies to be named "Hillary" and all male babies killed.

It would be "for our own good", of course.

;-)


22 posted on 07/04/2007 4:00:56 AM PDT by cgbg (Hamas--killing the Pali terrorists Americans won't kill.)
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To: goldstategop
>>Liberty yields as well-intentioned busybodies try to “fix” the world by stopping you from using gasoline or forcing you to finance antipoverty programs.<<

Or being a gun owner. I was reminded of an interview I read of a lawyer who specialized in gun issues. He said that it is absolutely impossible to buy, register, and own a handgun in NYC. I can ignore the “nannies” when they harp about trans fats or even smoking bans, but the Brady Bill and all the other gun laws make me very nervous.

24 posted on 07/04/2007 4:23:24 AM PDT by ishabibble (ALL-AMERICAN INFIDEL)
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To: goldstategop
He was promoting programs like "National Service." Why are many conservatives so eager to wield force?

I must protest! It's the libs who are hot for National Service. Both Kerry and Edwards were on record in favor of it. Edwards in 2004 maintained that young people should not be granted high school diplomas unless they had performed some amount of community service. When both these asses felt free to take such positions, you have to know the liberal establishment is completely comfortable with compulsory national service.

27 posted on 07/04/2007 6:43:14 AM PDT by Graymatter (New legislators. No new laws. ... Let's clean house. And senate.)
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To: goldstategop

This man has always been a most wonderful voice on television.

He has kept me watching ABC for years.


29 posted on 07/04/2007 8:04:47 AM PDT by ConservativeMind
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To: goldstategop
Michael Moore: Why do you see it as force?

86 Branch Davidian men, women and children were burned alive by the BATFE/FBI-HRT for failure to purchase $200 tax stamps for several AR15s they possessed that they had equipped with autosears.

Does being burned alive count as force?

30 posted on 07/04/2007 8:19:53 AM PDT by E. Pluribus Unum (Islam is a religion of peace, and Muslims reserve the right to kill anyone who says otherwise.)
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To: goldstategop

“Is it really necessary to explain that government is force?’

I’m amazed. It appears Moore stumped Stossel by pointing out that ‘we the people’ are government, therefore force was not involved in taxation.

What John might have said was, since we are government, what we are doing is using force to take money from each other.

Whether we see government as something beyond control in the short run, or the majority imposing its will on the minority, force is still applied. Try telling the IRS to shove it as an experiment.


31 posted on 07/04/2007 12:28:19 PM PDT by gcruse
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To: goldstategop

“Government is force.”

Words to remember, and use.


32 posted on 07/04/2007 1:20:43 PM PDT by ChessExpert (Reagan defeated the Russian communist empire. It's still hard to believe.)
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