Go ahead, say it, out loud. “Legalize Freedom.” You know you want to. You also know it’s not PC to say it, so maybe you’re not quite ready yet to speak your mind in public. Someone might hear you. What would they say? They might think that you’re some kind of nut, right?
How long have you felt this way? Six months? Five years? What have you done about it? Anything? Nothing? Have you decided to not make waves? Just go along and get along? Is it working for you? Does it make you feel better? Or does it just reinforce your nagging suspicion that something is drastically wrong in this “free” country?
You need to read Paul Craig Roberts’ recent article titled “Freedom’s Unheard Call.” Highly recommended. For my purposes, I need only quote his first and last sentences: “There is a surprising lack of freedom in the world….What the index really shows is that, with the exception of the Hong Kong and Singapore city-states, there are no free countries in the world.” Read his last sentence again. Can you relate?
Have you noticed that in 2001 many two income families are barely scraping by? In 1955, there were few two income families. They weren’t necessary. One income was more than sufficient to support a family of four in a large home with room to spare. Of course, in 1955 the average family didn’t fork over 40% of its gross income in taxes. Did you know that 12th century serfs only surrendered one third of their labor to the king? How does that make you feel?
Have you noticed that the US incarcerates the largest percentage of its population of any nation in the world? Did you know that the current total is 2 million inmates? Did you know that it took 100 years to reach 1 million, but it only took ten years to reach 2 million inmates? Have you calculated the monumental cost to society to feed, house, clothe, and babysit 2 million+ adults for years, decades, or life? Does it bother you?
Have you noticed that the prison system in this country is growing by leaps and bounds? It has become very big business, largely driven by new state and federal laws that require incarceration of convicted nonviolent offenders. Did you know that the prison guard union in CA is now so large that is has become a viable political force of its own? Do you really believe that this is a good thing?
Have you noticed that your freedoms are slowly being eroded away by do-gooders who have made it their life’s work to “save you from yourself” at your own expense? Does this make you happy?
Have you noticed that in this “land of the free” more and more people are becoming very angry because they feel overworked, overtaxed, underappreciated, demonized, and helpless? Are you one of them? What are you doing about it?
Like many others, I saw the light after reading Atlas Shrugged by Ayn Rand. That was three years ago. I then realized that I had been a libertarian all my life, I just didn’t know it. I had always been a strong supporter of personal responsibility, but I never knew that there was a major political party that incorporated it into its platform.
The first thing I did was join the Libertarian Party. The next thing I did was start reading like mad. I started living online, researching political philosophy, economics, the Constitution, the IRS, the tyranny of our “justice” system, and the rampant socialism of the welfare state. It was incredible. It changed my life.
Then I wanted to speak my mind. I was ready to go public. I just didn’t quite know how to go about doing so. And then, there it was, right in front of me, in the LP News: an ad for “Legalize Freedom” bumper stickers and T-shirts. I immediately sent away for some, including several for my friends. They are available from Martin Belkin in Brooklyn, NY.* I’ve never met the man, but I’m quite certain that we must have much in common. I would also very much like to buy him a beer some day.
My sticker has been on the rear window of my car for about two years now. It attracts quite a bit of attention. I’ve had strangers approach me in parking lots to discuss it. I’ve had cars honking their horns at me as they go by. It amazes me how such a little thing can make such an impact on total strangers. All of the attention has been positive. I know I am not alone. It’s a great feeling.
Most of my high school students think that my “Legalize Freedom” bumper sticker is cool, but they’re not sure why. I’m doing my best to educate them in that regard. I can’t save the world, but I can have a positive impact on the next generation. It’s been a lot of fun and I wouldn’t change a thing.
If you feel like a slave, it’s because you are. Now, what are you going to do about it?
*Disclaimer: I am in no way associated with this man or his business, but I am a satisfied customer. The address: Martin Belkin, POB 350357, Brooklyn, NY 11235. Bumper stickers are $2 each and T-shirts are $10 each. Shipped via Priority mail for $2 each package. Isn’t capitalism wonderful?