Harry Browne

You might think I never advocate an expansion of any government function. Not so. I’d like to see a greater national defense. In fact, I’d like to see a national defense – period. Today our government spends virtually nothing on defense. Instead, it spends over $300 billion per year on offense – the most intimidating … Continue reading “National Defense & National Offense”

The Bush administration appears to be gearing up for an all-out attack on Iraq – because George Bush has said "I made up my mind that Saddam needs to go." The politicians justify this invasion of another nation with all sorts of reasons – such as Hussein’s invasion of Kuwait, his supposed possession of "weapons … Continue reading “There’s a Better Target than Iraq”

George Bush wants Ariel Sharon to stop doing what George Bush has been doing for the past six months – using force to crush his enemies. Doesn’t Bush realize that imitation is the sincerest form of flattery? His petulance at Sharon for not following Bush’s orders indicates that Mr. Bush now believes he’s President of … Continue reading “A Solution for the Middle East”

Osama Bin Laden has won the war in Afghanistan – the first big battle of the War on Terrorism. Americans are claiming victory because American bombers have devastated Afghanistan, thousands of Afghans have been killed, and the already-impoverished country is now almost completely in ruins. But most likely this is exactly what bin Laden wanted. … Continue reading “Who’s Really Winning This War?”

On September 11, foreign terrorists killed several thousand people by destroying the World Trade Center and damaging the Pentagon. Some people considered this a criminal act – not an act of war by a foreign nation. They said the U.S. government should concentrate on finding, capturing, and bringing to trial anyone connected with the attacks. … Continue reading “What has ‘Victory’ Achieved?”

In 1932 Franklin Roosevelt was elected promising a 25% reduction in the federal budget, an end to deficits, and the restoration of a sound dollar. Within eight years the federal budget tripled, federal debt increased 155%, and the gold standard was repudiated – making the U.S. dollar a fiat currency. Roosevelt’s New Deal transformed America … Continue reading “Bush’s Coup d’Etat”

Why are the Bill of Rights, open trials, the rule of law, and the traditional American rules of evidence important? Two reasons: If an innocent person is convicted and punished, it’s an injustice to that person – and the Founding Fathers were determined that Americans wouldn’t suffer the injustices that had oppressed so many innocent … Continue reading “Secret Trials Endanger Security”

The attacks between Palestinians and Israelis this past week have dominated the news. There are two very important points we can learn from these events: Israelis and Palestinians have been using force to retaliate against attacks for over 50 years — each seeking to teach the other "a lesson" whenever attacked. But none of the … Continue reading “Brute Force Doesn’t Solve Conflicts”

Many conservatives, liberals, and libertarians are protesting the numerous invasions of your liberty that Congress and the Bush administration have imposed during the past two months. But without realizing it, many of the protestors brought these invasions on themselves. THIS IS AMERICA? I do share their concerns, however. First, Congress rammed through an "anti-terrorism" bill … Continue reading “Who Gave Your Rights Away?”

I love America. I love every concept the Statue of Liberty stands for – that individual liberty is held above the objectives of government; that, as Washington and Jefferson said, America imparts good will toward all and threatens no one; that this country is so big-hearted and prosperous it can welcome people from all over … Continue reading “I Love America. Do you?”