Politics Is Not the Path to Freedom --- Ron Paul on the future.

[Ronin Truth]

can't say I've ever used it. Being an adherent to the NAP, I also don't advocate "violent" revolution. I merely educate with words; I speak what I believe and hope something sticks. I hope that it gets people thinking, and that after they think about it, they do some research. Then, after they do their own research, they can start to pay it forward and educate someone else...and so on ...and so on (and scooby-dooby-dooby)

My original libertarian teacher and mentor (Robert LeFevre) said, "A free society is created one by one. I know it's slow, but it's the only way I've found that works."

 

[tod evans]

Even though I agree that education of the majority of the people is absolutely important to getting a major shift, I wonder hove many of the education of the masses crowd have used that tired old line. "It only took 2% to start the American revolution!" They say we can't win politically with an anti liberty populous but somehow they think a violent revolution will get lasting liberty when only 2% want true liberty.

Violence isn't going to get "lasting liberty" but neither is education...

I believe it'll take both and make one hell of a mess before things change toward a more liberty oriented society....

There's a very large segment of society that exists only by governments largess and no amount of education is going to pry them off the tit.

 

[jjdoyle]

There's a very large segment of society that exists only by governments largess and no amount of education is going to pry them off the tit.

There is a large segment, and I don't blame some of them for it, ONLY because it's the way they are born/raised. They are basically raised in captivity, with no idea that there is another way. From before they are born, they are hooked into the system with their parents being plugged into it. When you are raised in a bubble of, "If you need help, fill out this form.", it's what you know/do.

 

[tod evans]

There is a large segment, and I don't blame some of them for it, ONLY because it's the way they are born/raised. They are basically raised in captivity, with no idea that there is another way. From before they are born, they are hooked into the system with their parents being plugged into it. When you are raised in a bubble of, "If you need help, fill out this form.", it's what you know/do.

You've only addressed a small portion of those "on the tit"....

Don't forger all government employees, the entire MIC and the "Just-Us" department along with all of the axillary industries that support them....

The welfare population pales in comparison to the real welfare queens in suits-n-robes.....

 

[jjdoyle]

You've only addressed a small portion of those "on the tit"....

Don't forger all government employees, the entire MIC and the "Just-Us" department along with all of the axillary industries that support them....

The welfare population pales in comparison to the real welfare queens in suits-n-robes.....

Oh absolutely. Some of the ones I know are hardcore Republican voters. It's the same with businesses. "Apply for grants. Apply for grants. Apply for grants."
The whole, "If you need help, fill out this form."

 

[cajuncocoa]

Utter nonsense, as usual. People must understand the concept of human liberty in order to topple leviathan.

People think they are free right now, under this thoroughly repressive regime. People voted this government into existence. Unless they understand the concept of human liberty, any gains you make in the folly of politics will be fleeting, at best.

All you are is a pied piper, leading around a bunch of idiot voters. All it takes to undo your efforts is a sweeter tune.

+rep

 

[heavenlyboy34]

You've only addressed a small portion of those "on the tit"....

Don't forger all government employees, the entire MIC and the "Just-Us" department along with all of the axillary industries that support them....

The welfare population pales in comparison to the real welfare queens in suits-n-robes.....

+rep

 

[osan]

Still a false headline, even the education Ron is talking about is 'political' in nature. Politics is not exclusively electoral.

You make a good point, but only half of it.

Problem is the same old thing: language and language habits.

Firstly, without a definition of "politics", we do little more than make noises at each other when "discussing" such issues. From my very cursory reading of this interview, it seems even Ron made this error. We all make it and it is a very bad thing when verbally transacting serious business. People are in a big hurry these days and want everything done yesterday. This may be fine enough when the conversation is "Hi, how have you been?" But when discussing fundamental issues such as "freedom", a very different approach to verbal exchange becomes the proper order of the day. It is far slower because it is by necessity far more precise. It must be complete and correct or we are dealing in half-measures. That may be OK in some circumstances, but that should also be understood clearly lest there be misunderstandings leading some to thing the whole answer is now at hand.

These are the sorts of common errors that cause endless mischief in the world.

What, exactly, is meant here by "politics"? Reading, all I have are my assumptions and that is not good enough.

 

[Ronin Truth]

Politics Is Anti-Life
http://archive.lewrockwell.com/shaffer/shaffer101.html
Time to stop feeding the state, says Butler Shaffer.

Politics Is a Sickness
http://archive.lewrockwell.com/shaffer/shaffer86.html
But you can cure yourself, says Butler Shaffer.


Politics Is a Sociopathic Cult
http://archive.lewrockwell.com/shaffer/shaffer96.html
Butler Shaffer on the prognosis.

Or back to basics: http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/politics?s=t

 

[Matt Collins]

What, exactly, is meant here by "politics"? Reading, all I have are my assumptions and that is not good enough.

Politics is the process by which power is divided among society. Power is the ability to get others to do what you want them to do.

 

[Ronin Truth]

Politics is the process by which power is divided among society. Power is the ability to get others to do what you want them to do.

Power Corrupts

by Ben Moreell


When a person gains power over other persons–political power to force other persons to do his bidding when they do not believe it right to do so–it seems inevitable that a moral weakness develops in the person who exercises that power. It may take time for this weakness to become visible. In fact, its full extent is frequently left to the historians to record, but we eventually learn of it. It was Lord Acton, the British historian, who said: “All power tends to corrupt; absolute power corrupts absolutely.”

Please do not misunderstand me. These persons who are corrupted by the process of ruling over their fellow men are not innately evil. They begin as honest men. Their motives for wanting to direct the actions of others may be purely patriotic and altruistic. Indeed, they may wish only “to do good for the people.” But, apparently, the only way they can think of to do this “good” is to impose more restrictive laws.

Now, obviously, there is no point in passing a law which requires people to do something they would do anyhow; or which prevents them from doing what they are not going to do anyhow. Therefore, the possessor of the political power could very well decide to leave every person free to do as he pleases so long as he does not infringe upon the same right of every other person to do as he pleases. However, that concept appears to be utterly without reason to a person who wants to exercise political power over his fellow man, for he asks himself: “How can I ‘do good’ for the people if I just leave them alone?” Besides, he does not want to pass into history as a “do nothing” leader who ends up as a footnote somewhere. So he begins to pass laws that will force all other persons to conform to his ideas of what is good for them.

That is the danger point! The more restrictions and compulsions he imposes on other persons, the greater the strain on his own morality. As his appetite for using force against people increases, he tends increasingly to surround himself with advisers who also seem to derive a peculiar pleasure from forcing others to obey their decrees. He appoints friends and supporters to easy jobs of questionable necessity. If there are not enough jobs to go around, he creates new ones. In some instances, jobs are sold to the highest bidder. The hard-earned money of those over whom he rules is loaned for questionable private endeavors or spent on grandiose public projects at home and abroad. If there is opposition, an emergency is declared or created to justify these actions.

If the benevolent ruler stays in power long enough, he eventually concludes that power and wisdom are the same thing. And as he possesses power, he must also possess wisdom. He becomes converted to the seductive thesis that election to public office endows the official with both power and wisdom. At this point, he begins to lose his ability to distinguish between what is morally right and what is politically expedient.

http://www.acton.org/pub/religion-liberty/volume-2-number-6/power-corrupts

 

[Matt Collins]

There is nothing wrong with having lots of money. There is nothign wrong with having lots of power either. Money and power are not inherently evil, but how you acquire and what you do with it, is the point that matters.

 

[LibertyEagle]

There is nothing wrong with having lots of money. There is nothign wrong with having lots of power either. Money and power are not inherently evil, but how you acquire and what you do with it, is the point that matters.

If you want to use that power to limit the liberty of others, it is a really bad thing.

"Let no more be said about faith in man, but bind him down from mischief with the chains of the Constitution." As I recall, a fellow named Thomas Jefferson said that.

 

[pcosmar]

Politics is the process by which power is divided among society. Power is the ability to get others to do what you want them to do.

You very obviously know nothing of liberty..And this post is further proof.

You are an authoritarian.. And an elitist. You believe some are wiser of more qualified to exercise authority over others.

You are very dangerous to Liberty.

 

[pcosmar]

There is nothing wrong with having lots of money. There is nothign wrong with having lots of power either. Money and power are not inherently evil, but how you acquire and what you do with it, is the point that matters.

You are extremely deluded.. Power mad even.

 

[tod evans]

You very obviously know nothing of liberty..And this post is further proof.

You are an authoritarian.. And an elitist. You believe some are wiser of more qualified to exercise authority over others.

You are very dangerous to Liberty.

Just one of the many emotionally and morally bankrupt folks drawn to political power like moths to a flame....

I suppose if one's too short to make the cut as a kop then politics is the next best avenue to try and force your will on others...

 

[Matt Collins]

You are an authoritarian.. And an elitist. You believe some are wiser of more qualified to exercise authority over others.

No, not at all. Power exists whether you acknowledge it or not. It's human nature, and it's how human being interact. There are politics in your family, in your church, in your school, at your work place, in your club, everywhere... Your spouse may have power over you, or you may have no power over your children. Power and politics don't just exist around the government.

 

[jjdoyle]

There is nothing wrong with having lots of money. There is nothign wrong with having lots of power either. Money and power are not inherently evil, but how you acquire and what you do with it, is the point that matters.

Can you produce the "expenses" billed to Ron Paul 2012 for your "non-work" costs in Minnesota? I'm curious what you consider expenses, with these type of repeated statements on the forums, and it might be very beneficial to some Ron Paul supporters from 2012 to try and get their expenses now reimbursed, since the campaign still has cash. If you were billing under the name David Collins, then I might have already found how much the "expenses" were that was billed to the campaign for May 2012. But it doesn't detail me what the "expenses" were, and is a nice round number. Not like what I would expect if receipts were provided with taxes included.

 

[pcosmar]

No, not at all. Power exists whether you acknowledge it or not. It's human nature, and it's how human being interact. There are politics in your family, in your church, in your school, at your work place, in your club, everywhere... Your spouse may have power over you, or you may have no power over your children. Power and politics don't just exist around the government.

In none of those settings does anyone have any authority to do me harm.

The individual is the final authority.. We have no King. We have no authority over anyone, But over ourselves,, those in our care (family) and then to the community,, those friends and fellows that live around us.

Not the State.. The Constitution was intended,, to limit the State..To limit it's powers.. And to put the final arbiter in the hands of the people.

The individual is the final Authority..
(in the secular world)

 

[pcosmar]

Power exists whether you acknowledge it or not. It's human nature,

Oh, I know it exists. I know where it comes from,, and want to avoid it as much as possible. It is not human nature, it is the perversion of human nature.. The twisted dark side of humanity..