Is sacrifice of freedom worth it?

The belief that good things can come through government is based in the superstitious belief that the wrong thing can be done in just the right way.

It’s a Utopian dream.

Make no mistake, everything governments do is built upon a rotted foundation.

I’m not Utopian. I know people aren’t angels, but I also know they aren’t as bad as believers in government make them out to be. People usually do what they believe is in their best interest.

Belief in government makes stealing and attacking appear to be in a person’s best interest, and of little risk, as long as they are done in the name of “the law.”

If you steal just the right amount — calling it “taxation” — the stolen money may help people. Ignore the people harmed by having their money taken. Ignore those who can no longer afford things they need; pretend the common good outweighs the harm and put the victims on welfare.

Most harm caused by taxation is invisible. You can’t know how much money will never be available to help those in need, or to start a business to meet needs and grow the economy — all because you took money from its rightful owner.

Theft is only the tip of the iceberg.

Some people living among us are here without government permission, so believers in government support rounding them up, caging them like animals, and shipping them off. So what if it makes things cost more, or causes a business or two to fail, destroying jobs for “legal Americans?”

Ignore the devastating domino effect on the local economy; laws are more important and must be enforced at any cost. It’s a cost government supporters are willing for you to bear.

Government believers also crave safety. Their belief is that because tragedies happen, someone needs to make more rules to prevent tragedies. Ignore the fact that new rules always have unintended consequences guaranteeing other tragedies. Again, this cost is hidden because you can’t map the path never taken.

Perhaps if you violate people just enough, they’ll be better people; not hurting others as much. Free people sometimes make bad choices; government can destroy freedom to reduce the risks.

Destroying freedom is the only thing government does well. Unfortunately, to truly help others in meaningful ways also requires freedom. Government’s arbitrary rules only get in the way.

Is it worth it?

In this incremental way civilization’s future is sacrificed, one individual at a time, on the altar of government.

Farwell’s Kent McManigal champions liberty. Contact him at: [email protected]