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The United States just elected a black man as president. Truly, some conscience-raising has occurred since the last election season. Let’s not forget that in the same election, California has outlawed marriage between couples of the same sex, Massachusetts has rejected eliminating the state income tax and simultaneously reduced possession of less than one ounce of marijuana to a $100 fine.
Will we be freer or less free now that the election is over?
Cheaper gas and rent, free health care, lower taxes, college for all, easy retirement, financial security and even eliminating dependence on foreign energy! If I was only to believe campaign signs and commercials, significant change is on its way. However, history has continually proven otherwise. No matter the administration, Government always grows. The “American Experiment" has been a tremendous failure no matter how you look at it. The United States Government is now the largest in the world. With each election, the Government always wins and we all suffer.
I used to believe that achieving political as well as economic freedom in my lifetime was possible. Organizations such as the Free State Project (www.freestateproject.org), Internet-based media, and yes even the Ron Paul Campaign did give me hope that things can change politically in this country. So, what changed my mind? I finally started to look at the facts instead of the rhetoric for what actual change will look like. I generally viewed freedom as some sort of mythical abstraction that could only be grasped if all the chips fell into place. Libertarians (myself included) are fond of pointing out all the inefficiencies inherent in Government. These arguments haven’t worked for centuries and while we argue about the best way to dismantle the Federal Reserve, the state continues to grow in size and power.
Personal Freedom is something that each of us can work on immediately. I don’t need political parties or ballot initiatives to receive the benefits of Liberty today! I can create a sphere of Freedom all around me. Living Liberty in my life will be the example to others that prove these ideas work. Influence the aspects of your life that you can change and leave the politics to the statists. Talk to those closest to you and be honest with them. These kinds of ideas can be very challenging. Once your friends and family see the changes happening in your life, they will gravitate towards the philosophy of freedom. No more shall I shed a tear when taxes are raised. No more will I run to the polls and indulge in the fantasy of Democracy. No more will I go along to get along. I will not be bullied by those around me. I stand for Freedom and I will not let others control me.
I’ve made peace with the chains and my life has never been better.
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When I went anarcho-capitalist, I made a few adjustments (e.g. switching my already-underway Congressional campaign to an anarcho-capitalist theme; ending my job at a government contractor) that I felt were needed to ensure my own integrity. However, it was impossible to avoid all government services (e.g. driving on the roads), which is unfortunate. Nonetheless, I often find a great measure of comfort in understanding the root causes of many problems around me (e.g. why traffic is so bad; why the education system sucks; etc.); at the same time, as one of the few who does understand, I sometimes feel a great sense of responsibility to try to change the situation. At times I almost wish I had never taken that one fateful economics class, and read "For a New Liberty." Regardless, my nature is such that I probably would have devoted my life to some sort of radical reform, whether it be socialism or capitalism, so it is just as well that it ended up being the optimal system, anarcho-capitalism.
It is quite possible that a day will come when I give my last full measure of devotion to the libertarian cause, "Unintended Consequences"-style. But for now, the activist stage of my libertarianism continues. I see the pernicious effects of statism all around me, but am content in living my life as best I can, and doing my part to effect change when opportunities present themselves.
Amen, brotha.
WY is already largely free and was always a better choice than NH. http://www.freestatewyoming.org/
Your post would make Harry Browne proud. There's a great deal each of us can do to increase our personal happiness and freedom outside of the political realm, and focusing on things we can actually control should be our first priority.
"How I Found Freedom in an Unfree World," by H. Browne, 1971
http://www.amazon.com/How-Found-Freedom-Unfree-World/dp/0965603679/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1226029390&sr=8-3
Except Harry disregarded his own advice and ran for president twice!