Posted on 06/26/2002 12:22:27 AM PDT by JohnHuang2
In response to my recent column, "Why I'm not a liberal," a reader accuses me of being "intolerant."
"I think you are intolerant of those whose politics differ with you," writes Scott Mitchell, a proud liberal.
"Intolerance" is an epithet for liberals. For me, it's a compliment.
I am intolerant. I'm intolerant of evil. That's a good thing. Tolerance of evil would be evil.
I'm intolerant of Americans who don't want to live within the confines of our constitutional system. That's a good thing. Tolerance of unlawful behavior and the rule of men rather than the rule of law would be wrong.
I'm intolerant of ever-changing codes of morality. That's a good thing. Tolerance of evolutionary morality is tolerance of amorality and immorality.
I'm intolerant of all these things – and I'm proud to admit it. And that's why I am intolerant of liberalism, a fiendish excuse for an ideology that, in reality, more resembles emotionalism than rational thought.
In my original treatise, I mentioned that the central tenet of liberalism is legalized theft: "Liberalism proffers that it is a good idea to forcibly take the wealth and property rightfully and legally acquired by one party and redistribute it to others."
I have never heard anyone – even the most scholarly and persuasive of liberals – offer the slightest moral justification for legalized theft. Mitchell tries his hand at it thusly: "Part of the wealth you made and property you collected was based on services provided by the government for the public good."
Of course, Mitchell has no idea if that is really true – or to what extent it is true. Neither does the government. But, if this is indeed the basis for the government's claim to my property, there's a simple solution: Let me pay for what I use. Free me of the burden of confiscatory taxes and let me pay tolls on the government roads I use. Free me from the burden of confiscatory taxes and let me pay fees for infrastructure built by government. Free me from the confiscatory taxes and let me pay for what I want and need.
Americans today pay more in taxes than they pay for all other expenses combined. In other words, the average citizen pays more in taxes than for food, clothing, shelter, entertainment, transportation and all other costs combined. That's what I mean by confiscatory taxes.
In 1913, when the income tax was created, it was set up at a rate of 1 percent. Today, many Americans pay nearly 50 percent to the federal government. Most never even see the money. It is paid directly to the government by their employer so they won't even miss it – so they won't even comprehend the magnitude of the fraud being perpetrated.
It's bad enough we live under such oppression, but when we are forced to listen to people like Mitchell excuse it, apologize for it and rationalize with pseudo-intellectual mumbo-jumbo, yes, I grow increasingly intolerant.
I'm even more intolerant of politicians – elected leaders – who pledge to uphold the Constitution of the United States and knowingly cast votes in direct contradiction of that pledge. They should be imprisoned. Does that sound intolerant? Sue me.
I went to one of these public policy luncheons in Washington recently where congressmen are called in for "off-the-record" briefings. Never again. I heard one official, one of the most conservative in the House, explain that he knew the entire Department of Education was unconstitutional, but what really upset him was that the president's education reform bill didn't include "school choice."
He might have voted for the bill and increased funding of the unconstitutional bureaucracy if only the president had thrown the conservatives this little, meaningless bone of "school choice." He also explained he would have to vote for the new "prescription drug" bill in the House because to vote against it would be political suicide.
This is why I am not a conservative. Either we live by our principles or we don't have any principles. Conservatives today are letting liberals define them. They are defined by what they are against, more than what they are for.
I'm for constitutionally limited government. I'm for freedom. I'm for individual rights. I'm for self-government. I'm for personal responsibility and accountability to God.
Liberalism opposes all of that. That's why it's evil. That's why I am not a liberal. That's why I'm intolerant of liberalism.
Amen, Joe my feelings to the dot.
Great posting JH2!
GAY-ISTAS! GAY-ISTAS! GAY-ISTAS! GAY-ISTAS! GAY-ISTAS! GAY-ISTAS! GAY-ISTAS! GAY-ISTAS! GAY-ISTAS! GAY-ISTAS!
That oughta help. );-)
Randall gave me the t-shirt as a gift. I cannot find it listed in the products he sells on his website, but perhaps you can email, or find a phone number there...?
The only sizes on hand when I was given the shirt were L and XL, so I wore it as a nightshirt 'til my husband came along. He wears it often, and proudly. ( :
While I believe if Jesus were alive he would be Pro-Gun, the church does not have the authority to do this. But otherwise I agree with your post.
Why not? of course they'd have to do it as a for-profit subsidiary of the non-profit organization (if they charged for use of it) but there is no biblical prohibition that I am aware of that stops a church from providing a service. A church food bank essentially serves as a grocery store. A church clothing bank serves as a clothing store. Several churches provide handyman services etc to their communities. Our Church serves as the local disaster preparedness center. Why could we not also operate a firing range? Training in the proper use of tools is a need that is often unmet in ou communities
God Save America (Please)
I like your profile page. We seem to be into the same things. For instance, I don't even own a TV, much less a VCR, but you can bet your elfin boots I'll be buying a copy of the Lord of the Rings when it comes out in August!
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