posted by Kyle on Sep 12
Acting like a couple of monkeys!
Dr. Paul’s intentions are obviously good, but in this case are terribly misguided. They are misguided because he is placing the value of democracy above the value of individual liberty (the one does not necessarily imply the other).
Here is the problem with Nader: he may agree with Paul on four issues, but he agrees for all the wrong reasons and would have people adopt his explicit philosophy of altruism. Nader has, and will continue to endorse human sacrifice. So long as he continues to believe that we may sacrifice the interests and rights of an individual, his agreement with us on a topic is only a matter of chance. His political philosophy is that of a mystic; he is a devout member of the cult of the omnipotent state. We cannot predict how he would violate our rights, we con only predict that if ever he were convinced of some good that he might accomplish, he would walk all over us to accomplish it.
Nader’s candidacy works to spread these ideas. While I have no problem with debating him (I have no doubt that our ideas will prevail), I am deeply disturbed by the fact that Dr. Paul would make public appearances with him and refuse to staunchly criticize his ideas. He had plenty of opportunity to do so. He could have said, “No, I won’t be voting for him because his political philosophy holds that the state may violate individual rights so long as it deems the greater good to served. I do not believe in using human beings as sacrifical beasts.” He did nothing of the sort. He gave his tacit endorsment of Nader’s ideas.
This is harmful precisely because Dr. Paul has become a figurehead of the freedom movement. He has earned a lot of people’s trust, even though they don’t understand his explicity political philosophy. If this movement is to last, the political philosophy associated with his campaign must be promulgated. That is why I continue to support the Barr campaign. Barr is far from perfect, but he is promulgating a political philosophy of individual liberty. So far as I can tell this is the only way that we’ll ever win our freedom. Associating with Ralph Nader will do nothing of the sort.
Let us not lose sight of our mission: spread libertarian ideas far and wide. It is only by doing this that we can have any hope of lasting political success.
September 13th, 2008 at 5:14 am
You don’t believe in Altruism; you are then truly a beast and estranged from all other human beings. Your explanation of Nader’s “Altruism” is not altrusim; altruism is taught and influenced by a positive and altruistic— ahem… that would be people looking out for and tolerating other people— society. You have been brainwashed and are lost to the natural human cause. It is possible… you just are blinded by the society we live in… please attune you senses to the society of the Tibetan Buddhists— the most Altruistic community I’ve heard of… they work. Think about it, don’t just rehash what you have been taught in school and by your parents.
On the other hand— Bob Barr is truly the most sound candidate for president.