So I have been talking a big game about being able to fund government without using forced taxation. I truly think it is theoretically possible. It is not something that could be implemented easily. This is an idea that could only work after a long period of moving toward freedom, or a new country, “starting fresh”, if you will. It also involves a redefinition of citizenship, and what qualifies one for it.

Of course this whole thing would hinge on an incredible reduction of government expenditure. This particular post is not a “how to get there from here” sort of post. This is more of a “If I started a country, what I would do is” sort of post. So throw out everything you think of when you think about government costs. This would be a government based on a very strict diet and limitation. It would also be based on a lack of government monopoly on a great many things. Read the rest of this entry »

There is a lot of fuss about the founding fathers of this country. There are those who swear by them, feel that they are some of the greatest men in our history, and believe their intentions were impecable. Most of them also believe in the Constitution of the United States as a great document with few flaws, and that things would be far better if we got back to it instead of treading on it constantly. There are others who point out the flaws of the Founders, the hypocrisy of them being slave owners or sexist or whatever. Most of them are quick to dismiss the constitution as an outdated document, or at best as an “evolving document”, something that should change with the culture, as if the wisdom of today and our leaders is comparable to the Founders. Read the rest of this entry »

I have done a lot of philosophizing with libertarian ideals and a little with what to do to move in the right direction. Freedom is not an easy thing, but I believe it is still the best thing. The big question for today is not whether all men are created equal, but what defines a man. I am, of course, presuming that “all men” in that statement is referencing all mankind, or at least all of adults. So the question remains, what is an adult? What is the dividing line? If rights are born, and not granted, then when do they kick in? What is the line between child and adult, and what rights are we born with as children? Read the rest of this entry »

I was asked recently on USWeapon’s blog by a smart fellow blogger named TexasChem about moral law versus natural law. I took from TexasChem’s definition that when he said “natural law”, he was referring to “natural rights”, or the freedoms which are our birthright. I will refer to this here as “freedom law”, as it defines the basis for law as I see it.

We are all free individuals. This concept of freedom is more clearly defined as legal freedom, wherein we are free from government law or restriction that violates our freedom, and we are free from authorized violence or infringement on our freedoms by other persons. Any action we choose to take that does not restrict the freedoms or damage/take away the property of another person is not to be legally stopped or restricted. Read the rest of this entry »

It is imperative to understand one’s self in philosophy. If you do not know the basis from which you are arguing, you will never understand fully why you think the way you do. Sometimes, I used to argue things because they just seemed “right” or “wrong” to me. I had not yet defined what was right or why it was right. Not really. We all have a central core of belief, some concept that is our underlying basis of what is defined as “good”. This core principle or set of principles is essential to understand, and when in debate, it is useful to know each other’s core.

I was finally pushed deep enough into introspection to find my own core by a fellow blogger. I mentioned him also in a recent post, stating that he was very influential to me. The main point of influence he had on me was in helping/pushing me to find my core principle. Also, in knowing his, it allows me to respect his point of view without being upset by it or frustrated by his inability to see what I consider “reason”. Black Flag, as I mentioned, believes in freedom. That is his core principle. I believe in freedom, but not for the sake of freedom itself.  Freedom is “good” to me because of what it does, what it brings us, which is opportunity. Freedom is good to him because it is freedom. In like manner, “opportunity”, or the “greatest potential” is good to me because it is the greatest potential. Read the rest of this entry »