07-30-2016, 10:59 PM
Some people including me said that, yes. I like to claim that I was the first.
Except for "libertarians are not doctrinaire," I too agree with Anthony's statement. Their notion of "freedom" is severely and fatally distorted and flawed. Libertarians, whether from the Party, or whether they support the Libertarian notions of the Republican Party, are supporters of allowing business to do whatever it wants. "Interference" in or regulation/taxation of the economy is considered "big government," and Drakus makes no distinction between the use of "big government" to restrain business power and behavior, and other uses of "big government."
But the real "big government" of our age is business. When allowed to be "free," it creates monopoly and oligarchy. It corners markets, stifles competition, drives out smaller and less greedy competitors, gouges and endangers consumers, destroys our environment, exploits workers, ruins the economy with speculation, and buys the government. These are gross violations of our freedom. Naturally, the rich and powerful corporate business powers want their "freedom," and use that slogan to deceive us into giving it to them. You might just as well give "freedom" to criminals! Capitalism, if it is to work through its inventive and entrepreneurial spirit to spur economic growth, must be allowed, but must be regulated and taxed. Welfare, education and safety nets must be available to all, because business does not provide for those it excludes from the oligarchy and leaves behind and in poverty. Jefferson understood the perils of concentrated wealth to our democracy. It cannot be allowed, or democracy declines and comes to an end. Lincoln understood the crucial role of government investment in infrastructure, just as Elizabeth Warren and Barack Obama do today. Business does not "build" society. Libertarian candidates like Gary Johnson are hopelessly lost in 18th century ideology, and such ideology has never served us well without modification from more leftist ideas.
It takes a broader and smarter view of our society to avoid the popular trap of libertarianism and libertarian Republican slogans, and look beyond its notions of "freedom" and "big government." We have not gotten out of the trap. Until we do, we are doomed as a society.
Except for "libertarians are not doctrinaire," I too agree with Anthony's statement. Their notion of "freedom" is severely and fatally distorted and flawed. Libertarians, whether from the Party, or whether they support the Libertarian notions of the Republican Party, are supporters of allowing business to do whatever it wants. "Interference" in or regulation/taxation of the economy is considered "big government," and Drakus makes no distinction between the use of "big government" to restrain business power and behavior, and other uses of "big government."
But the real "big government" of our age is business. When allowed to be "free," it creates monopoly and oligarchy. It corners markets, stifles competition, drives out smaller and less greedy competitors, gouges and endangers consumers, destroys our environment, exploits workers, ruins the economy with speculation, and buys the government. These are gross violations of our freedom. Naturally, the rich and powerful corporate business powers want their "freedom," and use that slogan to deceive us into giving it to them. You might just as well give "freedom" to criminals! Capitalism, if it is to work through its inventive and entrepreneurial spirit to spur economic growth, must be allowed, but must be regulated and taxed. Welfare, education and safety nets must be available to all, because business does not provide for those it excludes from the oligarchy and leaves behind and in poverty. Jefferson understood the perils of concentrated wealth to our democracy. It cannot be allowed, or democracy declines and comes to an end. Lincoln understood the crucial role of government investment in infrastructure, just as Elizabeth Warren and Barack Obama do today. Business does not "build" society. Libertarian candidates like Gary Johnson are hopelessly lost in 18th century ideology, and such ideology has never served us well without modification from more leftist ideas.
It takes a broader and smarter view of our society to avoid the popular trap of libertarianism and libertarian Republican slogans, and look beyond its notions of "freedom" and "big government." We have not gotten out of the trap. Until we do, we are doomed as a society.