Guest post by Ron Paul. The senseless and horrific killings last week at a movie theater in Colorado reminded Americans that life is fragile and beautiful, and we should not take family, friends, and loved ones for granted. Our prayers go out to the injured victims and the families of those killed. As a nation…
Tag: citizens
When Does Law Become Criminal?
Post by Skyler J. Collins. Originally written August 2011. If you’ve ever criticized taxation in front of an average statist, be them liberal or conservative, you know that it quickly turns awkward. They insist that taxation is necessary for certain services and that they’re happy to pay it. They sometimes even assume you’re advocating not…
How to Approach the 4th of July
There are a myriad ways one (living in the United States) can approach the pagan holiday that is the Fourth of July. Unfortunately, it can’t simply be ignored. It’s too loud and annoying to do that. And if you have kids, they won’t be satisfied not lighting some fireworks. Here’s what I wrote after my…
What it Means to be an Anarcho-Capitalist
Guest post by Stephan Kinsella. Originally published at LewRockwell.com, January 20th, 2004. Butler Shaffer’s recent LRC article, What is Anarchy?, prompted discussion on the Reason blog and inspired me to set down a few ideas I’ve also had along these lines. Libertarian opponents of anarchy are attacking a straw man. Their arguments are usually utilitarian…
Chapter 26 – Why Do We Hurt Our Children?
Table of ContentsPrevious – Section Five – Chapter 25 – “Childhood: The Unexplored Source of Knowledge” by Alice Miller 26 Why Do We Hurt Our Children? by James Kimmell As a psychologist who specialized in working with emotionally disturbed children, and as a person who has a special fondness for children, it is extremely troublesome…
Chapter 19 – The Right to Control One’s Learning
Table of ContentsPrevious – Section Four – Chapter 18 – “Schooling: The Hidden Agenda” by Daniel Quinn 19 The Right to Control One’s Learning by John Holt Young people should have the right to control and direct their own learning; that is, to decide what they want to learn, and when, where, how, how much,…
Chapter 13 – Planning vs. the Free Market
Table of ContentsPrevious – Section Three – Chapter 12 – “What is the Free Market?” by Murray N. Rothbard 13 Planning vs. the Free Market by Henry Hazlitt When we discuss “economic planning,” we must be clear concerning what it is we are talking about. The real question being raised is not: plan or no…
Chapter 10 – Secular Theocracy
Table of ContentsPrevious – Section Two – Chapter 9 – “For Conscience’s Sake” by Carl Watner 10 Secular Theocracy by David J. Theroux Part 1 We live in an increasingly secularized world of massive and pervasive nation states in which traditional religion, especially Christianity, is ruled unwelcome and even a real danger on the basis…
Chapter 9 – For Conscience’s Sake
Table of ContentsPrevious – Section Two – Chapter 8 – “The Historical Origins of Voluntaryism” by James Luther Adams 9 For Conscience’s Sake by Carl Watner George Smith, in his essay “Philosophies of Toleration,’’ reviews the history of freedom of religion and identifies the moral axiom of “righteous persecution,” which has been part of most…
Chapter 7 – The Origin of Religious Tolerance
Table of ContentsPrevious – Section One – Voluntaryist Resources 7 The Origin of Religious Tolerance by Wendy McElroy In 1733 the philosopher credited with ushering in the French Enlightenment, François Marie Arouet de Voltaire, published Letters Concerning the English Nation. It was a pivotal work. Although written in French, the 24 letters were first issued…