[Mr. Jeeves]

Then I realized that the central idea of a free society is not misunderstood at all - in fact, it is not desired by a population conditioned by government institutions.

That's true, but the key is to get the top 5% who stand to benefit most to always remember it. Libertarians don't have to win elections as long as they can influence the best and brightest. Most of the public, on the left and right, is always going to vote for the demagogue who promises to give them free stuff and punish people they don't like. But if the politician who emplyes such tactics also needs campaign contributions from the clear-minded libertarian business man, the ideas will still triumph.

[headsonpikes]

I would like to think that thoughtful men, whether in business or not, would lead their communities away from socialist beliefs, but I'm afraid that every nation must work through its own socialist delusions before abandoning them when their society lies in ruins.

We humans do not learn from anyone's history but our own.