What I fear now is that we are no longer a moral people who possess the capacity for self government. What we once relished as freedom, we now fear as license. Without morality, we don't trust people to regulate what goes into their own bodies or to avoid other dangerous behaviors. Without respect for the property of others, we attract hordes of new looters who come not to work -- but to get in on the "free" benefits of plunder. As the Welfare State grows larger, we retreat from private charity and lose its rehabilitative effect. And finally, the temptation grows ever stronger to get whatever benefits we can take for ourselves before the system inevitably collapses.
It is this dark side of human nature which tyranny exploits, and which capitalism recognizes and limits. Unless we can once again exercise the self-control that "libertarian" philosophy and a free society require, we will require a dictator who will make us "behave" as he deems fit, and who will ultimately clothe and feed us.
Very well articulated
This is an outstanding article by Stossel. He is spot on in his observation of Big Government's creeping devastation of the family, private charity, individual initiative, and our free society.
What I fear now is that we are no longer a moral people who possess the capacity for self government. What we once relished as freedom, we now fear as license. Without morality, we don't trust people to regulate what goes into their own bodies or to avoid other dangerous behaviors. Without respect for the property of others, we attract hordes of new looters who come not to work -- but to get in on the "free" benefits of plunder. As the Welfare State grows larger, we retreat from private charity and lose its rehabilitative effect. And finally, the temptation grows ever stronger to get whatever benefits we can take for ourselves before the system inevitably collapses.
It is this dark side of human nature which tyranny exploits, and which capitalism recognizes and limits. Unless we can once again exercise the self-control that "libertarian" philosophy and a free society require, we will require a dictator who will make us "behave" as he deems fit, and who will ultimately clothe and feed us.
49 posted on Wednesday, April 07, 2010 8:04:09 AM by Always A Marine