Tag: libertarianism

Why We Should Mistrust the Government

It should come as no surprise that President Obama told Ohio State students at graduation ceremonies last week that they should not question authority and they should reject the calls of those who do. He argued that “our brave, creative, unique experiment in self-rule” has been so successful that trusting the government is the same … Continue reading “Why We Should Mistrust the Government”

The Drug War Finds New Ways to Fail

The federal government’s effort to battle drug abuse has been a tragic and expensive failure. But of course, admitting that would make politicians, who regularly endorse it to sound tough, seem foolish and careless with taxpayer dollars. So the War on Drugs continues, while of necessity it slowly morphs into new forms of federal waste … Continue reading “The Drug War Finds New Ways to Fail”

What If We Have Only Memories of Freedom?

What if Memorial Day reminds us of times when we had more freedom? What if freedom is dying right under our eyes? What if the memory of the past is more fulfilling than the reality of the present? What if the federal government could write any law, regulate any behavior, and tax any event, no … Continue reading “What If We Have Only Memories of Freedom?”

Libertarianism Is Antiwar

[Chapter 9 of Libertarianism Today by Jacob Huebert. Reproduced with permission of ABC-CLIO, LLC, Santa Barbara, CA.] WHY LIBERTARIANS OPPOSE WAR Libertarianism and war are not compatible. One reason why should be obvious: In war, governments commit legalized mass-murder. In modern warfare especially, war is not just waged among voluntary combatants, but kills, maims, and … Continue reading “Libertarianism Is Antiwar”

The Illusion of Safety

Recent incidents of violence in Norway and London have made us understandably uncomfortable here at home, as many fear that a worsening economy will lead to violence and unrest in American cities. This is why Congress must view the economy as its first priority and a matter of national security: unless and until we get … Continue reading “The Illusion of Safety”

2010: The Best and the Worst

Last year, around this time, I initiated what I called the Antiwar.com Awards – a year end tribute to the best, and the worst, people and institutions that impact our lives and the life of our nation and the world. And what good is a tradition unless one endeavors to keep it going? So here’s … Continue reading “2010: The Best and the Worst”

Expand the Role of the Citizen-Soldier Without a Draft

For proponents of American liberty, a volunteer military has always been preferable to conscription. Friends of liberty have appropriately asked how, in a supposedly free country, you can justify unfairly shanghaiing, against their will, an unrepresentative minority of the population – young men – for dangerous service in usually undeclared and often unnecessary wars. Yet … Continue reading “Expand the Role of the Citizen-Soldier Without a Draft”

P.J. O’Rourke’s Progress

In the 1990s, I was a fan of economic humorist P.J. O’Rourke. One of his best books is Eat the Rich, which I described in a Fortune book review as an “Adam Smith’s Wealth of Nations with a laugh on every page.” And if you think O’Rourke’s understanding of the actual Wealth of Nations is … Continue reading “P.J. O’Rourke’s Progress”