Utopia Versus Freedom (Thomas Sowell)

Jewish World Review ^ | August 4, 2009 | Thomas Sowell

[jazusamo]

"Eternal vigilance is the price of freedom." We have heard that many times. What is also the price of freedom is the toleration of imperfections. If everything that is wrong with the world becomes a reason to turn more power over to some political savior, then freedom is going to erode away, while we are mindlessly repeating the catchwords of the hour, whether "change," "universal health care" or "social justice."

If we can be so easily stampeded by rhetoric that neither the public nor the Congress can be bothered to read, much less analyze, bills making massive changes in medical care, then do not be surprised when life and death decisions about you or your family are taken out of your hands — and out of the hands of your doctor — and transferred to bureaucrats in Washington.

Let's go back to square one. The universe was not made to our specifications. Nor were human beings. So there is nothing surprising in the fact that we are dissatisfied with many things at many times. The big question is whether we are prepared to follow any politician who claims to be able to "solve" our "problem."

If we are, then there will be a never ending series of "solutions," each causing new problems calling for still more "solutions." That way lies a never-ending quest, costing ever increasing amounts of the taxpayers' money and — more important — ever greater losses of your freedom to live your own life as you see fit, rather than as presumptuous elites dictate.

Ultimately, our choice is to give up Utopian quests or give up our freedom. This has been recognized for centuries by some, but many others have not yet faced that reality, even today. If you think government should "do something"...

[jazusamo]

*PING*
Thomas Sowell

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[nuconvert]

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[jazusamo]

Please bump the Freepathon and donate if you haven’t done so!

[Paladin2]

""Eternal vigilance is the price of freedom.""

Ain't that the truth? Once I got some driving glasses to restore my distance vision to youthful capability, I stopped getting speeding tickets.

[jazusamo]

I imagine the savings in tickets paid for the specs in a hurry. :-)

[Paladin2]

The money quote:

" If you cannot tolerate imperfections, be prepared to kiss your freedom goodbye. "

[jazusamo]

Bump!

[the invisib1e hand]

short, sweet, and spot-on.

[rockinqsranch]

Thanks for the ping jaz.

[wjcsux]

Dr. Sowell bump.

[wjcsux]

New tagline

[wjcsux]

Thanks for the post.

[livius]

There are still some voices of sanity today, echoing what Edmund Burke said long ago. "The study of human institutions is always a search for the most tolerable imperfections," according to Prof. Richard Epstein of the University of Chicago. If you cannot tolerate imperfections, be prepared to kiss your freedom goodbye.

Excellent point! And as Thomas Sowell points out, the thing they want to impose on you is always somebody else's idea of "perfection."

[TheOldLady]

"Let's go back to square one. The universe was not made to our specifications. Nor were human beings. So there is nothing surprising in the fact that we are dissatisfied with many things at many times. The big question is whether we are prepared to follow any politician who claims to be able to 'solve' our 'problem.'

"If we are, then there will be a never ending series of 'solutions,' each causing new problems calling for still more 'solutions.'"

This is the pickle we're in right now.

"...taxpayers' money and — more important — ever greater losses..."

One of the many reasons that I love this man, his correct English usage.

[B Knotts]

Great column. BUMP

[LuvFreeRepublic]

“If you cannot tolerate imperfections, be prepared to kiss your freedom goodbye.”

No one wants to tolerate imperfections. They all want health care, a free lunch, a nice house, a few cars, and all the toys. If they can’t pay for it, they want the government to pay for it.

FREE LUNCH = BYE BYE FREEDOM.

Good post!

[jazusamo]

Bump to your new tagline, excellent!

[bamahead]

Libertarian ping! Click here to get added or here to be removed or post a message here!
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[a fool in paradise]

There is a place you can go where you can read or watch television or paint all day.

Your meals are covered.

You have free use of exercise equipment.

You get your own room with a bed.

Medical procedures are covered too.

You don't even have to pay taxes for any of this, other people will pick up the tab.

Of course, your freedoms are somewhat limited...