Everyone thinks that being a Libertarian is easy. After all, we’re all about freedom and doing what you want so long as it doesn’t hurt anyone else, and that’s absolutely true. But there’s a downside, one that many will not think of and one that may not ever be any easier.
You see, being a Libertarian, or any freedom loving American, sounds easy on paper but far, far to many who claim the title of hipocrits of the first order.
Today, there are tons of government programs that one is obligated to pay into. Honestly, we don’t have a choice in the matter. But then the question becomes, are we free to take advantage of those programs? After all, we are paying for it, just as we would be if it were privately based.
For example, education. Many of us pay property taxes that fund public schools. However, Libertarians generally are against public education. Is it OK to send your child to public school despite this opposition? Ideally, it’s not…mainly because public education in this nation generally sucks. But that’s somewhat irrelevant to this discussion. Is it acceptable to oppose public education while sending your kids to public schools?
Another example that may be coming is the healthcare debacle. If I lose my job, and have no other option, is it acceptable to take a public option health insurance? Is being poorly insured by a government beuracracy better than being uninsured?
The answer is to look at your own principles. Where do they stand on the issue. If someone is opposed to public education outright, then I strongly urge them to look to private school or home schooling as alternatives consistent with their principles. If they oppose a public option, and the law says you must be insured…well, do what you’ve got to do, but I suggest finding a job pretty darn quick.
Principles are difficult things to have. It’s why so many politicians jettison them as soon as they get to Atlanta or Washington or even city hall. They rarely make you popular, which is the name of the game in politics, and they rarely make life easier. So why are they so important to Libertarians?
Simple.
It’s because principles are all that really seperate us from a mob that votes to let the masses have their way. A wise man once said that democracy can only exist until the people figure out they can vote themselves largess from the pubic coffers. When that happens, any society is on it’s decline.
History has shown that every great nation that has followed a similar path. On the rise, it affords economic freedom which enables it to grow. Then, at it’s peak, it begins to worry about the “less fortunate” and enacts social programs. Surely a wealthy nation like theirs can afford it. And then the great nation begins it’s downward spiral because the people quit working as hard. After all, there’s no downside to doing nothing.
We now find our nation at this point, and we will fall if this continues. But it’s my principles that make me say that, even though I know I will lose elections because of it should I run. Principles are a royal pain in the butt sometimes, but it’s what makes me who I am. I’m a flawed person who occasionally does crappy and unprincipled things. Everyone is. But, on the whole, I let my principles guide me and I pray that someday it makes a difference.
So far, this nation needs principles, not platitudes. Will we get what we need?
