Escalation


Watching, hands twitching, mouth salivating
I've been thinking.

I know, I know, it's a dangerous pastime that brings nothing but trouble.

Still, I've been thinking.

If the freedom and tyranny are really juxtaposing as fast as I believe, what's the next step?

There are dedicated, sincere people who will tell you that protest is the answer. Supposedly the politicos and technocrats fear mass action.

But I think that is tyranny too, the tyranny of the crowd.

And I admit, the tradeoffs worry me.

"If we back down on universal health care this year, then it's only fair that you don't oppose the carbon cap and trade. And of course, you won't object to Senator Bigwind's plan to bring light rail to his capital city."

If we pursue that, how long till we have nothing left to trade? How long until we have compromised away all the freedom?

I posted this on one of my liberty lists. And since it's me saying this, I get the Technopagan Green.

So isn't this the question of the times?

If the politicos have fenced off the planet and there's no place left to go where you can be left mostly alone, what is your choice?

I mean, I know that this crowd isn't about to join the tea party movement and many of us have our own reasons for avoiding organized political parties no matter what they call themselves, but what happens when "those in charge" don't recognize our choice as valid? Protest just isn't going to cut it.

I for one don't want to submit, but armed resistance strikes me as an amazingly fast way to die if just a few do it. And there aren't too many places left to run.

What do you with a drunken government determined to do things to you "for you own good?"

I wrote this on another liberty list.

I don't have a "do nothing" attitude, I have a "let's drop what hasn't worked" attitude.

The protesters, yes, even the Tea Party crowd are waiting on a Hero™ on a White Horse® to rescue them from the Mean, Ferocious Government Monster.  They know that if they just get enough of the right people elected, why, government can be cleaned up.  In our lifetimes.  And without anyone having to take responsibility.

Me, I have a simpler notion.

Government is not your friend.

I have an even simpler solution.

KYFHO.

When you have a significant number of people who aren't marching on the White House and the various seats of government, but who are willing to take a stand where they live and say "No more," then we have something to work with.

Until then, it's so much noise.  

I'm looking for the next step.

If the Free Market Rebellion is really happening now, then it has to be about people making their own choices. Not a top down solution that is imposed on everyone. Not a protest against government policy, although I do think that is a good start. It's got to be people picking what they want for themselves.

So without that Hero on White Horse, and without us shooting in the streets and hanging judges from the lamp posts, what's next?

Maybe all the pieces aren't in play yet.

Gods, it's so tempting to throw myself in and use what I know to manipulate people, to try to twist events to my own ends. But that won't work either.

Freedom has to be chosen. Liberty can't be defended without choice.

— NeoWayland

Posted: Tue - November 17, 2009 at 01:33 PM  Tag


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