There Is No Right to a “Freedom from Fear”
Charlatans and statists (but I repeat myself) are very fond of calling things they support “rights.” Single-payer healthcare is a “right.” Speedy internet is a “right.” Public education is a “right.” However, in libertarian and classical liberal theory, natural rights...
Patriot Act at 22: We can only be Truly Safe when We’re Free
22 years ago – on Oct 26, 2001 – the Patriot Act was signed into law. As John Whitehead wrote, “we’re still grappling with the blowback that arises from allowing one’s freedoms to be eviscerated in exchange for the phantom promise of security.” It’s hard...
Thomas Paine: Fear, Government Power and Standing Armies
From the earliest days of the republic, politicians have used fear to expand government power. This was the strategy the Federalist Party used to get a standing army. Thomas Paine called them out on it. The founding generation was extremely wary of standing armies....