So, Newsweek finally realized that the past 8 years looks far more like “socialism” than “small government”.
http://www.newsweek.com/id/183663
If only they had been labeling it “socialism” when it was happening, then we could actually talk about real solutions now – like diminishing government’s role in the economy. Instead, they were declaring that we had “deregulation”, so the answer is obvious – “reregulation”.
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Mr. Engelhardt,
This is exactly the same message we posted earlier, sad as it may be, that we have arrived at this place in the political discussion, we at least now can have a discussion about the real subject at hand without being called alarmist.
We will be highlighting Mises work published in, “Socialism,” to generate a better understanding of the dangers and failures of what “our” political leaders and media have adopted as “good” for America.
Thanks for a website so full of excellent resources. We benefit much and how to highlight all you are doing in future blogs.
Prof. Robert Higgs commented on this article at the Independent Institute’s blog. You can access his comments
Whilst we know that ‘Socialism’ is to be avoided, what do we call the goal we wish to reach. ‘Libertarian’ is a direction, and even socialists use it. Anarchists claim to be libertarian, whilst congregating in their communes.
‘Superautonomy’ has not yet been used by anyone else, and should be used to mean that autonomy is for everyone. The motto could be ‘Selfrule For All’. A Superautonomist would be like an anarcho-capitalist, without the negative connotations that anarchy brings to mind. If it needed a symbol, I would suggest a blue globe, with a red ‘X’ on top- no centralised world for us!
Any other ideas?
From the article:
“The Obama administration is caught in a paradox. It must borrow and spend to fix a crisis created by too much borrowing and spending. Having pumped the economy up with a stimulus, the president will have to cut the growth of entitlement spending by holding down health care and retirement costs and still invest in ways that will produce long-term growth. Obama talks of the need for smart government. To get the balance between America and France right, the new president will need all the smarts he can summon.”
Okay, that’s sarcasm, right ??
From the article:
“The catch is that more government intrusion in the economy will almost surely limit growth (as it has in Europe, where a big welfare state has caused chronic high unemployment).”
Yet, big government should be accepted. What bothers me is that this article (conveniently?) overlooks the fact that the US economy has been a mixed economy for a long period of time and government has increased a few years after 1789.
Pat, the rot set in, in 1789! Before then, you had fewer tiers of government! That was an increase in government, right there!
As for names, Co-Autonomist is shorter, and means the same thing- ‘Let Owners Rule’. A Co-autonomy would be a free society of landowners. We need a positive carrot, as well as the stick of the failed past, to steer people towards freedom.
Colin Green,
“what do we call the goal we wish to reach”
CYBERTARIANISM.
Libertarianism through artificial intelligent means.
Free market capitalism needs a defender. Needs someone to constantly speek in the name of free market capitalism and defend it against government or social agression.
Therefore I believe that libertarianism will only be possible through cybertarianism.
I liked Newsweek better when they had Jan Smithers on the cover:
http://www.trashytabloids.com/watn/images/jan-smithers-newsweek.jpg
That article was very upsetting. The worst part about is, or so I felt, was that it seemed to me that the author was basically trying to convince the reader that we had just better accept it and not try to change it. More regulation is not at all what we need and we should not accept it.
****The Obama administration is caught in a paradox. It must borrow and spend to fix a crisis created by too much borrowing and spending.****
Or cure an alcoholic’s problem with more alcohol, or a herion junky with more smack.
It is so nonsensical in every other case why does it fly, or allowed to fly, in this one case? The hold the government has over people’s minds, and their ability to think logically, is scary.
If an alcoholic continues to drink he will likely die, as will the herion addict who will eventually overdose. And so it will be here. It will just be a more horrific crash to reality when it comes.
Still, it amazes me that we have these boobs get up on television and proclaim that more of the same of what got is here is a “cure” and they say it with a straight face. They are either liars or dimwits, neither of which is becoming.
Does Mises.org have mirror servers in what will likely be the Square States of America fairly soon?
In response to Colin Green’s question about the goal of the free market philosophy, I have a suggestion. The goal ought to be individual moral autonomy.
What Austrians and many other libertarians often overlook is that even the most insightful and elaborate defense of free markets is worthless without a foundation in the philosophy of ethics. People need moral principles to live well, to make choices appropriate to their own prospects for flourishing. Austrian economics defends free markets, for a fundamental (often unacknowledged) reason: to demonstrate the social conditions necessary to the achievement of material abundance. Material abundance is necessary ( but not sufficient) for individual success and happiness.
Thus, as Murray Rothbard pointed out, economics is a branch of the philosophy of ethics. Ethics presumes the human capacity of free will and freedom of choice. The challenge to human living is thinking well to make proper choices. Economics informs us of the right choices in one very important realm of our experience.
Making the right choices in any area of life first requires individual moral autonomy.
So Co-Autonomism might be a valid name, especially with a catchy motto. (“Owners Rule”?) Autonomy is a worthy goal, but only attainable if we allow others the same right.
Cybertarian- No way! Don’t you watch Doctor Who? The cybermen ALWAYS get beaten!
HALALUYA!!!!!
Great NEWS, State of New Hampshire Makes STAND TYRANNY, we’re all still in the running.
HCR 6 – New Hampshire Affirms States Rights
http://www.opednews.com/articles/HCR-6–New-Hampshire-Affi-by-Barbara-Peterson-090204-442.html
or Google “HCR 6″
Wow, fantastic blog layout! How long have you been blogging for? you made blogging look easy. The overall look of your site is great, as well as the content!
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