So what is my problem with libertarianism? As I said, they are great at pointing out societal defects, they are terrible at solutions. Essentially what they say to EVERY problem that exists is that it's the governments fault, and if we simply got the government out of the way, problems would fix themselves. That's pretty much it. The public happiness and societal good is negatively correlated to the size and reach of the government. Those on the libertarian fringe even theorize that government is not necessary at all. All government functions could be privatized and the resulting anarchist state would naturally morph into a type of utopia.
So I like the idea of getting government out of our lives. In fact I love the idea. That is why libertarianism appeals to me so much. The problem is, I think the government is running our lives because we let them in. We want them there. And by letting them in, we have grown dependent on them. And I don't mean just those who collect food stamps, or live in government subsidized housing. I mean all of us. Take our foreign policy as an example. Our founding fathers spoke pretty clearly about not intervening in the political affairs of other countries. Just look at the mess we have made in the middle east by not following that counsel. So why do we interfere? It's simple: Americans want the goods that come from the countries we interfere with. In the case of the middle east, it's oil. I recently listened to a book by Andrew J Bacevich entitled The Limits of Power:The End of American Exceptionalism. Mr. Bacevich is a West Point grad, Vietnam vet, and a tenured professor at Boston University. He patiently explains that although we didn't invade Iraq on behalf of Big Oil, if there was no oil in the middle east it would have zero strategic significance to us. Without oil the middle east would be RWANDA. We wouldn't care about it AT ALL. Remember the genocide in Rwanda in the 90's? If we are really so concerned about promoting democracy and coming to the aid of our fellow men, why didn't we help out with that one? It's because we had no national or economic interests in Rwanda. Our leaders are aware of the political fallout that would occur should the steady supply of cheap energy from the middle east be disrupted, so they oblige their constituents by engaging in immoral wars and building up a ridiculous foreign police force to maintain stability in the region.
I use the middle east as an example, but we could point to virtually every place where the government is inappropriately involved and find ourselves staring in the mirror when looking for the real culprit. And when the government gets involved for any extended period of time it becomes like a cancer that can only be removed by damaging other vital organs in the process. As an example, if the welfare state were brought to an abrupt end the resulting instability and public uprising could easily threaten a worse calamity than the present state of affairs. History teaches us that such episodes of instability threaten our liberty. Just look at the times in American history where the State has expanded the fastest: the Civil War, the Great Depression, and 9-11. Uprooting the cancer may lead us even closer to killing the liberties that we still enjoy.
So now for the solutions. John Adams famously said:
“Our Constitution was made only for a moral and religious people. It is wholly inadequate to the government of any other.”
If you've read any of my previous posts you realize, no doubt, that I am a hopeless idealist. I sincerely believe that the solutions to our problems are really quite simple, but they require individuals to return to traditional principles and a proper moral understanding. Do you want the United States to stop nation building and maintain a more modest foreign policy? The solution lies in Americans becoming more moderate in their appetites and grateful for what they have. There might be a painful transition, but we may very well avoid any future stings that are sure to come from incessantly kicking the foreign hornets nests. Do you want the welfare state to come to an end? The solution is not in uprooting the government, the solution lies in Americans rebuilding the institutions of marriage and the family. The solution lies in Americans turning back to God and rebuilding their churches and charitable institutions. When those institutions are healthy again, demand for government will decline.
Do you want to help your country remain free? Build a strong marriage, love and support your family, get back to church, donate your time and means to charitable causes. Live within your means. Work hard for a more prosperous future, but be grateful for what you have. Set a good example to your fellow citizens and do not hesitate to raise your voice in support of vital moral issues. As English philosopher Edmund Burke said, "The only thing necessary for the triumph [of evil] is for good men to do nothing."
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