I'm Still a libertarian
by Ron Beatty
bearfreeliberty@yahoo.com

Credit The Libertarian Enterprise

Not too long ago, I wrote an article, entitled "I'm A libertarian." (small l, please) in which I ranted a little bit about some of the things that bother me. Well, I think I'm going to continue in the same vein, just for the heck of it.

This society, culture and nation does not own me. I am not a slave, nor will I be for as long as I can draw breath and fight back, whether it be with words or with weapons. I will not initiate force, under any circumstances, but when force is initiated against me, I will respond, to the best of my ability, and with as much force as necessary to defend myself and those I care for.

I owe this nation, this government, and this people nothing. My country has been suborned by tyrants. The government has consistently eroded its legal basis and authority until is is nothing but a sham, a facade of tyranny hiding behind the tattered remnants of the Constitution and the Bill of Rights. As for the people, I, and others, have warned against what is happening. We have done this consistently, for many years. In response, we have been threatened, vilified, and scorned. Those we have warned have stupidly and irrationally stuck their heads in the sand, ignoring every warning sign. Even worse, many of them have embraced tyranny, accepting false security in exchange for the erosion of their freedoms. I could almost forgive this, if it didn't lead to the inevitable erosion of my own freedoms. After all, if they choose to be stupid, that's their lookout.

So today, this is my Declaration of Independence! To those who will be shaken in the turmoil that is coming in this society, you have my sympathy, but not my support. That will be saved for those who have listened over the years, my brothers and sisters in freedom. If you have ever said, and believe that , "The government oughta do something about that!" or "There oughta be a law," well, guess what? You're a slave, or a mindless moron. Either way, I don't have time for you. You live or die on your own, and I honestly don't care either way.

A new Dark Age is looming, unless major changes are made. We've all seen the t-shirt slogan "I love my country, but I fear the government." This administration is making that statement ever more apt. Warrantless searches, the restrictions on travel, an undeclared and endless war (two of them, actually!) and restrictions on speech, most especially political speech signal the downfall of the dream. Whether the dream survives or fails, leading to an endless spiral of tyranny and oppression, no one knows. It's people like us that will make the difference. Libertarians. Red, White, Black, Yellow or Brown, it doesn't matter what race you are. It doesn't matter what religion you are. What matters is living up to the ideal of freedom, both the rights and the responsibilities of that state.

Freedom. Seven letters. Seems like such a little word, doesn't it? In reality it's probably the most important word in the entire lexicon. With it, all things are possible. Without it, dreams and lives are crushed under the boot of the state.

You choose which you would rather do. Live free, whether that life might be difficult or full of hardship. Or live as a slave, a life which might be comfortable, but will have no challenge, no goals, no dreams, no great achievements, a life devoid of triumph other than the most trivial kind.

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