Bigger Government - Steven Greenhut

[alfsauve]

Okay, I've found yet another editorial writer that bears reading.

Steven Greenhut of the Orange County Register.   His latest article which I read in the Atlanta Journal Constitution is about big government being our only real problem

Here are links to archives of his editorials.  All of them look worth reading, but the latest is "Fear Pols".

http://www.lewrockwell.com/greenhut/greenhut-arch.html


And this goes right along with public officials saying they will disobey or find ways "around" the inconvenient ruling on the 2nd amendment or various right to carry laws as in GA.

Alf

[Ron J]

Okay, I've found yet another editorial writer that bears reading.

Steven Greenhut of the Orange County Register.   His latest article which I read in the Atlanta Journal Constitution is about big government being our only real problem

Here are links to archives of his editorials.  All of them look worth reading, but the latest is "Fear Pols".

http://www.lewrockwell.com/greenhut/greenhut-arch.html


And this goes right along with public officials saying they will disobey or find ways "around" the inconvenient ruling on the 2nd amendment or various right to carry laws as in GA.

Alf

He's right about "big government" ... but would argue that in today's world the Libertarian platform is patently as dangerous as bro O' and the Democratics.

[Middle Man]

The Austrian School of Economics (that's what folks associated with Lew Rockwell and the Von Mises Institute espouse) uses a form of deductive logic that eschews empirical research and the scientific method.  They also tend not to look at lessons from history, nor do they hold much admiration for conventional wisdom or tradition.  As I have said before, we (as generally conservative in ideology) can agree with much of what strict libertarians have to say in regard to the limited role of government.  However, in their zeal for a smaller government, libertarians (and especially those from the Austrian School) have turned their distaste for the bureaucratic largess into a hatred of America itself that rivals strident liberals. 

Greenhut somewhat alludes to the common ground shared between libertarians and conservatives when he relates his editors opinion that everyone is 25% libertarian (while he goes on to make a different point with that opinion).

I have made these comparisons of libertarians and liberals before:

A blind adherence to Reason is very nearly as detrimental to mankind as the dream of a Utopian society.  To paraphrase Burke, Reason may be nothing more than a cover for the preferences of an individual.  A dose of history, a bit of tradition, and wisdom of generations past may assist in lessen the impact of unintended consequences stemming from naked Reason.  The idea that Reason alone is somehow the best guide down the path to an ideal society is farcical (we also know an ideal society is farcical).  In much the manner that statistics can be bent towards whatever end you seek, Reason may also be bent and colored with one's own preconceived notions.

[tombogan03884]

Knowledge of history, and tradition simplify the "Scientific approach" to government as it is does everything else, the "scientific approach" simply being a more impressive way of saying "Trial and error" it is logical to look at history, observe what has been tried in the past and reject those methods, such as socialism, that have a consistant history of failure.
Democratsas a party exhibit the best known symptom of insanity, Repeating an action (Running socialist candidates) and expecting a differant result, ( Defeat or disasterous results for the country)

[Neon Knight Anubis]

I may be mistaken but I always thought a society based strictly on the concept of reason is more of an Objectivist approach to government than a libertarian (small "l") approach. Most self professed libertarians I know of (including this one) utilize history and reason as a basis for decision making, maintaining minarchist/hands off policies unless there is proof undeniable that government action will benefit the situation, usually citing precedent.

On a side note, there's as many divisions and discussions over "what exactly is a libertarian" just as with any other party or broad themed ideology. Anarchists, Objectivists, disenfranchised Republicans, Classic Liberals etc. are all in the party; love 'em or hate 'em.

[Sponsor]

[Middle Man]

Democrats as a party exhibit the best known symptom of insanity, Repeating an action (Running socialist candidates) and expecting a differant result, ( Defeat or disasterous results for the country)

And now there's a new book out suggesting that the GOP should move further LEFT "using the best socially conservative policies of the New Deal" to attract more of the "working class" voting block.  In the authors prescription, as the Democrats have moved toward socialism, the GOP should abandon conservatism.  Progressivism is a dangerous road to travel down...why should the GOP adopt unsuccessful, counterproductive strategies from the New Deal and why should the GOP abandon the conservative view of  individual in society for liberal idea of socio-economic classes? 

When are we going to see someone in the political arena that will have the guts say, "the government is not the solution to all your problems"?  Thus my admiration of Calvin Coolidge...
     

[tombogan03884]

And now there's a new book out suggesting that the GOP should move further LEFT "using the best socially conservative policies of the New Deal" to attract more of the "working class" voting block.  In the authors prescription, as the Democrats have moved toward socialism, the GOP should abandon conservatism.  Progressivism is a dangerous road to travel down...why should the GOP adopt unsuccessful, counterproductive strategies from the New Deal and why should the GOP abandon the conservative view of  individual in society for liberal idea of socio-economic classes? 

When are we going to see someone in the political arena that will have the guts say, "the government is not the solution to all your problems"?  Thus my admiration of Calvin Coolidge...
     

Never, it's the "New Patronage". We can't kick out the guy the "other party" appointed , but we can create 6 more jobs for "our" supporters.

[Middle Man]

I may be mistaken but I always thought a society based strictly on the concept of reason is more of an Objectivist approach to government than a libertarian (small "l") approach. Most self professed libertarians I know of (including this one) utilize history and reason as a basis for decision making, maintaining minarchist/hands off policies unless there is proof undeniable that government action will benefit the situation, usually citing precedent.

On a side note, there's as many divisions and discussions over "what exactly is a libertarian" just as with any other party or broad themed ideology. Anarchists, Objectivists, disenfranchised Republicans, Classic Liberals etc. are all in the party; love 'em or hate 'em.

The Austrian School brand of libertarian is probably much closer to Rand's Objectivist...at least in my own reading and understanding.  Across the spectrum, it seems that the Austrian's have pretty much come to dominate the libertarian intelligentsia in much the same manner that progressive, "compassionate" conservatives (and neo-cons) have held sway within the conservative intelligentsia in the recent past. 

Sadly the big tent of the GOP isn't as all encompassing as it once was...

[Middle Man]

Never, it's the "New Patronage". We can't kick out the guy the "other party" appointed , but we can create 6 more jobs for "our" supporters.

Let's see, to extend Neil Boortz's line of thinking:  Those that can't do, teach, and those that can't teach become bureaucrat's...

[tombogan03884]

Let's see, to extend Neil Boortz's line of thinking:  Those that can't do, teach, and those that can't teach become bureaucrat's...

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